Key issues still pending in Sudan peace pact

What is your assessment of the CPA implementation process and what do you consider to be the key issues?

The SPLM and National Congress Party (NCP) have done a great job so far. They have implemented 12 major issues including passing laws on the secession referendum and agreeing on the census results.

However, six crucial issues need to be agreed upon before the referendum in 2011. Among them is the border demarcation between the North and South, the Abyei accord, allocation of resources and the use of the oil pipeline. Should the South vote for separation, there has to be an agreement on what happens to the Northerners in the South and vice-versa. Money is another factor. It is difficult starting your own currency and reserves. The sharing of debts and assets including the airline also need to be taken into consideration.

Do you think next month’s election will bring democracy to Sudan as envisaged in the CPA?

This election is important for the people of Sudan given the interest it has elicited. Out of the 20 million eligible voters, four fifths have registered, 15,000 are vying for constituency seats and 12 for the presidency. Both opposition parties and the civil society want to be involved. It gives Sudan an option to use the ballot instead of the gun, which has been the tradition for decades.
If any post-CPA arrangements need to be voted into law, there will be an elected legislature in place to represent the wishes of the people.

Do you think the SPLM and NCP have the capacity to handle the post-referendum period?

Yes, they do. In the past year, there have been efforts to promote understanding upon the realisation that there is a possibility the South could vote for independence.

It means they will need to develop a high level of understanding on cross- border trade and sharing of resources such as grazing land and water, as well as the distribution of oil, because the six pumping stations are in the North and the majority of oil fields are in the South.

The South will need to maintain the relationship with the North if it is to be successful. But we hope there will be no violence or serious disputes over the elections as these would hamper further negotiation on CPA .

Is the US planning to put pressure on Khartoum to respect the outcome of the referendum?

We are taking the North at their word. They have said clearly they would like a united Sudan, and many countries in the region agree with this. They have also said they will honour the CPA even if the South chooses to be independent. We want to ensure that people express their will freely and the process is transparent. We also want to ensure that should the South become independent, it can sustain its people, employ good governance, build economic infrastructure and ensure security. We do not want to see permanent sanctions for the Northerners and people living in IDP camps.

Experts say the Darfur conflict can only be solved if they have a similar deal to the South, and if the CPA is fully successful.

I can only give my view. We have 2.7 million people in camps and feeding programmes. I don’t see an economic engine that would allow Darfur to sustain itself, unlike the South that has a functioning economy and 10 states with local governance.

What is important now is that Khartoum makes unity with Darfur attractive. The government has to take a larger role in bringing development to Darfur. There have to be significant changes in security. Basic issues like infrastructure, transport, food security, systems of healthcare and sanitation need to be addressed. When all these are put in place, it will be up to the people to decide their next course of action.

Can the recent ceasefire agreement signed between the JEM and NCP lead to durable peace?

This is one of the first very serious agreements. There have been numerous agreements that were broken 26 hours later.

This one though, comes on the heels of peace offers between Chad and Sudan. A foundation for understanding between the two countries has been laid. There is also high level support. The two presidents, Chad’s Idris Deby and Sudan’s Omar al- Bashir are personally involved; so are the Arab League, the African Union and the UN. There is a good chance that this one will stick.
This agreement must, however be broadened. It needs to involve all the rebel groups if Darfur is ever going to experience lasting peace.