September 3, 2009 (BRUSSELS) – Southern Sudan Liaison Office to Belgium and the European Union urged the European Union to support full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended more than two decades of war in the country.
EU’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana, during a visit to the Egyptian capital yesterday, said opposed to the establishment to an independent state in southern Sudan and supported calls to maintain a united Sudan.
The semi-autonomous region, in accordance with the peace agreement, should hold a referendum within two years on self-determination amid growing frustration over the CPA implementation and calls for the establishment of an independent state in southern Sudan.
The signing of the peace agreement was witnessed by the EU and other regional and international countries and organizations in a ceremony held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on January 9, 2005.
"Having helped sponsor the peace process and witnessed the signing of the CPA in January 2005, the EU and the High Representative (Solana) cannot afford to endorse the non-implementation of any articles of the agreement that has brought an end to the decades of destruction and war between the parties," said the liaison office in a statement released today in Brussels.
GOSS office further said Solana, instead of supporting unity, should urge the CPA parties to implement the remaining issues "including those on the right to self-determination for the people of South Sudan."
Solana came amid difference between the two peace partners over the referendum bill. The National Congress Party says separation must be made difficult to achieve in order to preserve unity and requests that it can only be declared with 75% of votes while the SPLM proposes it can be made by simple majority.
The NCP and SPLM are expected to meet next week to discuss the outstanding issues on the bill.
(ST)
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