High level Egyptian officials visit Khartoum and Juba - Egypt urges Sudan unity ahead of referendum

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit pressed for the unity of Sudan on Sunday, ahead of a referendum on independence which could call into question current Nile Basin water-sharing agreements.

"Egypt is in favour of the unity of Sudan as a part of Africa and a member of the African Union. We will do everything in our power to save the unity of Sudan," Abul Gheit told reporters in Khartoum after talks with President Omar al-Beshir.

Abul Gheit and Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman are also due in the south Sudan capital Juba later on Sunday where they will meet Salva Kiir, the head of the semi-autonomous region.

If the southern Sudanese vote for independence in next January's referendum, this could have an impact on the disputed sharing of Nile waters.

Further details below.

Aboul Gheit and Omar Suleiman are visiting both Khartoum and Juba
From Arab Republic of Egypt Press Office - Minister's Cabinet
Saturday, 08 May 2010:

The Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry stated that Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Minister Omar Suleiman will go on a visit on May 9, 2010, to both Khartoum and Juba, and are expected to meet with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and congratulate him on the occasion of winning the Presidential elections held in Sudan last month, and to congratulate General Salva Kiir First Vice President of Sudan on the occasion of assuming the Presidency of the Government of the South.

The Spokesman added that the visit comes within the framework of underlining Egypt's interest in the security, unity and stability of Sudan whose issues are of a strategic priority to Egypt, in addition to Egypt's interest in the future of southern Sudan, in light of the strong ties binding Egypt and the various powers of Sudan, which is reflected by the Egyptian support for the efforts of the Sudanese government in maintaining stability in various parts of the country.

Photo: Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit arrives to meet Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum Sunday, 09 May 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

High level Egyptian officials visit Sudan
From Radio Miraya - Sunday, 09 May 2010 14:05:

The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abul Ghait and the Egyptian Intelligence Chief, Omar Suleiman arrived to Khartoum today. Speaking to Miraya, the Egyptian Ambassador to Khartoum, Mohammed Abdel Munaim Al Chazali, said that Abul Gait and Omar Suleiman will meet President-elect Omar Al Bashir and the Vice President Ali Osman Taha.

The two officials will also travel to Juba to meet with First Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Photo: Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit speaks to the press after meeting Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum Sunday, 09 May 2010. (Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Egypt urges Sudan unity ahead of referendum
AFP - Sunday, 09 May 2010:

KHARTOUM - Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit pressed for the unity of Sudan on Sunday, ahead of a referendum on independence which could call into question current Nile Basin water-sharing agreements.

"Egypt is in favour of the unity of Sudan as a part of Africa and a member of the African Union. We will do everything in our power to save the unity of Sudan," Abul Gheit told reporters in Khartoum after talks with President Omar al-Beshir.

Abul Gheit and Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman are also due in the south Sudan capital Juba later on Sunday where they will meet Salva Kiir, the head of the semi-autonomous region.

If the southern Sudanese vote for independence in next January's referendum, this could have an impact on the disputed sharing of Nile waters.

A 1959 accord between Cairo and Khartoum reserves 55.5 billion cubic metres a year for Egypt and 18.5 billion cubic metres for Sudan, a combined total of 87 percent of the river's water, leaving just 13 percent for other Nile Basin states.

Some of these, which include Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, say past treaties are unfair and they want an equitable water-sharing agreement that would allow for more irrigation and power projects.

"While Egyptian officials try to downplay the water concerns, some worry an independent South would soon join the groundswell of states objecting to the standing agreements," said a report by the International Crisis Group released on Thursday.

Last month, Egypt rejected any new plans for Nile water allocation, stressing that its share in the river was a "historic right" with Sudan considered a strong ally.

"Sudan and Egypt agree completely on the question of Nile waters. We are ready to continue discussions with other countries and to cooperate to build a bridge and reach a final agreement that will satisfy all the Nile Basin Initiative countries," Abul Gheit said.

Egyptian FM and spy chief start visit to Sudan on Sunday
Sudan Tribune - Sunday 09 May 2010 - excerpt:

May 8, 2010 (KHARTOUM) - [...] Egypt is stepping up its involvement on Sudan affairs ahead of the 2011 self determination referendum in the South which is widely expected to result in Africa’s newest state.

Earlier this year, Mubarak has reportedly criticized Khartoum for lacking the will to preserve the unity and warning that there are regional powers wanting to fuel conflict in the area which he described as “vital to Egypt”.

The issue of South Sudan secession is sensitive one to Cairo largely due to its impact on the Nile water agreement and the possible reallocation of share with the new state even though legal experts say that the water agreements are still binding to the new state.

Sudan and Egypt have joined hands last month against other Nile basin which are fiercely pushing for a new agreement fueling tensions and anger on all sides.

Further reading
UNAMID: 2 Egyptian peacekeepers killed, 3 injured nr Katila, south of Edd al Fursan, S. Darfur, W. Sudan (Update 1)
Sudan Watch - Friday, 07 May 2010

UNAMID JSR meets with Sudanese VP Taha, full support pledged

Sudan / UNAMID JSR meets with Sudanese Vice President, full support pledged
SOURCE: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, March 18, 2010/APO:

Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari was received today by Vice President of the Sudan Ali Osman Mohamed Taha. The visit marks the first between the two since the JSR took up his duties as head of UNAMID.

Mr. Gambari briefed the Vice President on UNAMID’s activities, including the new priorities of providing more proactive support to the ongoing peace process; enhancing the security of civilians and internally displaced people in Darfur; laying the foundation for early recovery; and, assisting in the normalization of relations between Chad and the Sudan.

VP Taha fully endorsed these priorities and pledged the full support of the Government of the Sudan in assisting UNAMID in fulfilling its mandate.

“I’m particularly happy that this meeting took place before the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement between the Government of the Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement in Doha, Qatar. This comes at a time when we are witnessing positive developments,” the JSR said.

“We want to see UNAMID succeed as this is beneficial to the people of Sudan, and most importantly for the Darfurians,” the VP stated.

This evening JSR Gambari will depart for Doha, where he will attend the signing of the aforementioned Agreement.

National Assembly endorses S. Sudan Referendum Law

Southerners who have lived in the north since independence can choose where to vote.

Report from SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Tuesday, 29 December 2009:
National Assembly Endorses Southern Sudan Referendum Law

(Khartoum) – The controversial referendum law for southern Sudan was passed on Tuesday by the National Assembly following a long meeting between the SPLM and the NCP.

The amended law approved by MPs includes a provision demanded by southern politicians that enables southerners living outside the south to cast their ballots in the south.

A previous version adopted unilaterally by the NCP last week prompted a walkout from parliament by southern politicians fearful that if southerners voted in the north they might be subject to intimidation and vote-rigging by the NCP.

In an interview with SRS outside the parliament buildings in Omdurman, Justin Joseph Marona, the co-chairman of SPLM-NCP parliamentary emergency joint committee, said the contentious issues within the bill had been resolved.

[Mr. Justin Marona]: “We’ve agreed that Article 27(3), which was deleted, should be put back. This section enables southerners residing in northern Sudan since independence to return to southern Sudan to prove their ethnic origins (sic). We also added a section that says southerners who have lived in the north since independence can choose where to vote.”

However, Marona, who is negotiating on behalf of the SPLM on the joint committee, said there are still serious differences between the SPLM and the NCP over the Abyei referendum and the popular consultation process for Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains.

[Justin Marona]: “There are still differences over Article 24 that says that the Messiriya groups should vote in the Abyei referendum. But according to the Protocol and the ruling at The Hague, Abyei is the area where the nine Dinka Ng’ok tribes and their chiefs live. So this is the area where the referendum will take place. There will be a meeting shortly over this law. There are also differences over the popular consultation legislation. But our stance has been very clear in all the negotiations.”

Marona expressed his optimism that the differences will soon be resolved in the course of meetings between the SPLM Vice Chairman, Dr. Riek Machar and the 2nd Vice President of the Republic, Ali Osman Mohammed Taha.

Sudan's Council of Ministers endorses the referendum law

President al-Bashir, First Vice-president Salva Kiir and the 2nd Vice-president Ali Osman Taha met in Khartoum on Sunday.

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 14 December 2009:
Council of Ministers Endorses Voter Legislation

(Khartoum) – The national council of ministers on Sunday night unanimously endorsed the referendum law for southern Sudan, Abyei and the popular consultation laws for Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The council had called for an emergency meeting headed by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and attended by his Vice-president Salva Kiir, together with presidential assistants and advisors.

President al-Bashir, First Vice-president Salva Kiir and the 2nd Vice-president Ali Osman Taha met in Khartoum on Sunday.

President al-Bashir was in a conciliatory mood after the meeting but warned against what he described as outside interference:

[Omar al-Bashir]: “This is an important session and a step towards the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We hope we will move together to accomplish the full mission of the interim period by conducting free and fair elections, which will be an example. Experience has shown that even if the political situation has worsened, when we sit together responsibly, we overcame all the hurdles. I think this is a lesson we can learn from. We have always insisted that we should not involve others, because they turn it into their business.”

The laws will be tabled before the National Assembly on Monday for debate and endorsement before the Assembly is dismissed.

The move follows a breakthrough in negotiations between the two principal partners to the CPA, the SPLM and the NCP, regarding some of the contentious issues in the CPA.

The parties agreed that a 60 percent turnout of registered voters and a 50 plus 1 percent 'Yes' vote in the referendum for self-determination, due to take place in 2011, would lead to the granting of independence for southern Sudan.

Addressing the press, SPLM secretary-general Pagan Amum announced the agreement.

[Pagan Amum]: “We have reached an agreement on the three major disputed laws, which may lead to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The referendum law, self-determination for south Sudan, and the popular consultation law for both South Kordofan and Blue Nile and the referendum law for the Abyei area. This decision agreed upon by the two parties will be presented to the cabinet and then to the National Assembly. We hope that the National Assembly will be ready to adopt these laws before the end of the current session.”

Pagan Amum was speaking during a press conference in Khartoum on Sunday.

Messiriya and Rezeigat tribes sign reconciliation agreement

Messairiya [aka Misseriya or Messiriya] and Rezeigat tribes Tuesday signed a reconciliation agreement in the presence of the Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, the Walis (governors) of South Kordofan and South Darfur States and leaders of the two tribes.

Meanwhile, Taha said that the government wants the reconciliation agreement to contribute to boosting the national rank, unity of Sudan and the social peace. He called on the two tribes to help the state realize peace in the area.

Taha appreciated the step of South Sudan State's government of establishing a council of tribal sheikhs to contribute effectively to boosting the development process. He said that the reconciliation between Messairiya and Rezeigat reflected the peaceful co-existence among the people of Sudan and their elevation to the tolerance values.

Source: SUNA/Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, Washington DC - Messairiya and Rezeigat Sign Reconciliation Agreement - Oct. 29, 2009.

South Kordofan: Sudan's 2nd VP Ali Osman Taha meets elders and community leaders

Sudan's 2nd VP, Ali Osman Taha, described his meeting with elders and community leaders as a move towards achieving sustainable peace in South Kordofan.

From Sudan Radio Service, 21 October 2009:
Elders Address Issues in South Kordofan

(Khartoum) - Elders and community leaders from South Kordofan met in Khartoum on Tuesday to discuss socio-political issues in the state.

The elders, who were drawn from different political party affiliations in Sudan, met with the second vice president, Ali Osman Taha, who described the meeting as a move towards achieving sustainable peace in South Kordofan.

[Osman Taha]: “The challenges that need to be addressed in this meeting include achieving a sustainable peace and building confidence between communities, a healthy and secure environment, and reconciliation. They should also hold discussions about political issues that may have an impact on the present and future South Kordofan in terms of elections and popular consultation. These issues require many ideas and experience, and all of you are experts in that.”

Ali Osman Taha was speaking in Khartoum on Monday.

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From the newly launched website of Sudanese President Bashir:
Taha to Address Wise Men Council of South Kordofan State

Vice-President of the Republic, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, will address on Tuesday morning at the Friendship Hall the opening sitting

Vice-President of the Republic, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, will address on Tuesday morning at the Friendship Hall the opening sitting of the meeting of the Council of Wise Men of South Kordofan State. The Council of Wise Men was formed by the Wali (governor) of South Kordofan State and includes 130 members. In a statement to SUNA, the state's Wali, Ahmed Mohamed Haroun, said that the Council is intended to lead the building and development process and to realize national accord in the state.

NCP & SPLM agree to adopt requirement of 51% simple majority votes to declare S. Sudan an independent country or confirm unity in Jan 2011 referendum

The National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) agreed on Thursday after 10 months of heated negotiations to adopt a uniform requirement of 51% simple majority votes to declare Southern Sudan an independent country or confirm unity in the upcoming January 2011 referendum.

Government of Southern Sudan's VP Riek Machar told the press at Juba Airport upon his arrival from Khartoum on Friday that the NCP had also dropped its proposal of 90% to 2/3 (66%) of quorum required from all the registered voters in order to recognize the outcome of the referendum.

SPLM Deputy Chairman said that his delegation agreed southerners based in northern Sudan and abroad would be allowed to vote during the referendum.

Dr. Machar also said the NCP had proposed that all Southerners that reside in the north should automatically lose their citizenship in northern Sudan and be treated as foreigners if the referendum vote results to independence of the South.  The same fate would also apply to northerners that reside in the South.

He added the SPLM has refused to discuss in the referendum law the fate of southerners or northerners, saying the issue would also be discussed together with the other issues in the post-referendum dialogue.

Source:  Sudan Tribune - Peace partners reach breakthrough on South Sudan referendum - Saturday 17 October 2009 by James Gatdet Dak

October 16, 2009 (JUBA) — The partners in the 2005 peace deal between northern and southern Sudan have reached a breakthrough on the main outstanding issues in the draft law for the conduct of referendum in Southern Sudan.

The National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) agreed on Thursday after 10 months of heated negotiations to adopt a uniform requirement of 51% simple majority votes to declare Southern Sudan an independent country or confirm unity in the upcoming January 2011 referendum.

The co-chairs of the Joint Political Executive Committee of the two parties, Vice President of Sudan, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and Government of Southern Sudan’s Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, are consulting with their respective leaderships before they could initial the agreement.

Dr. Machar told the press at Juba Airport upon his arrival from Khartoum on Friday that the NCP had also dropped its proposal of 90% to 2/3 (66%) of quorum required from all the registered voters in order to recognize the outcome of the referendum.

SPLM Deputy Chairman further said that his delegation agreed southerners based in northern Sudan and abroad would be allowed to vote during the referendum. The southern Sudan ruling party had rejected their participation in a first time.

Dr. Machar who chairs the component of the SPLM Political Executive Committee, charged with implementing the CPA, briefed the Government of Southern Sudan’s Council of Ministers on Friday about the agreement.

He said the bill also gives the referendum exercise a period of three days from the 9th to 11th January 2011.

He said they have also agreed that the exercise of the referendum can be repeated within sixty (60) days in case the first exercise fails to attain the 2/3 voters turnout.

In the agreement also included several other issues among which are the qualifications of voters and voting centers in addition to composition of the referendum commission.

There are also disputed post-referendum issues including discussions on what to do with the liabilities (debts), assets, waters, Joint Integrated Units (JIUs), oil (production, transport and export), currency and international agreements in case the South would vote for separation.

Dr. Machar also said the NCP had proposed that all Southerners that reside in the north should automatically lose their citizenship in northern Sudan and be treated as foreigners if the referendum vote results to independence of the South.

The same fate would also apply to northerners that reside in the South.

He added the SPLM has refused to discuss in the referendum law the fate of southerners or northerners, saying the issue would also be discussed together with the other issues in the post-referendum dialogue.

The SPLM’s position is that the referendum law should not be tied to the post-referendum issues, he said.

The two parties should not only discuss what would happen to the post-referendum issues if the South chooses independence, Machar explained, adding that they would also discuss how Sudan needs to look like incase the South would vote for unity.

Dr. Machar earlier explained that such a post-referendum united Sudan would need re-structuring of the Sudanese state itself, saying all these issues would be discussed outside the referendum bill.

A special committee of the Southern Sudan cabinet comprising of different political parties was formed to study the details of the draft bill on Saturday before it could be initialed by the two co-chairpersons, Dr. Machar and Ali Osman in their next week’s meeting on Monday.

The bill would then be presented to the national Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) before it goes to the national Council of Ministers and parliament for final endorsement by the current last session before the end of the year.

On the Abyei referendum, Machar added that the two parties have also presented their respective proposals on the composition of its commission.

He further added that the two parties are as well working on the bills for public consultations for Southern Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains.

The people of Southern Sudan shall vote in the 2011 referendum to choose between confirming the current unity of Sudan and creating an independent country.

The people of Abyei shall vote at the same time to either join the South or remain part of the North, while the people of Southern Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains shall have respective popular consultations to determine their future political and administrative status within the North.

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US Congressman Keith Ellison met with Taha, Nafi, Eddin, Ismail re CPA, Abyei, Darfur, shaky bilateral relations & lifting of US sanctions on Sudan

From Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, Washington D.C., Friday 07 Aug. 2009 - US Congressman discusses Sudan peace implementation and Darfur process (ST):

The visiting US Congressman Keith Ellison today held talks with the Sudanese officials on the implementation of 2005 peace agreement and the ongoing efforts to settle Darfur crisis.

Ellison, who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, met on Wednesday with the Vice President Ali Osman Taha, Presidential Assistant Nafi Ali Nafi and Presidential Adviser, Ghazi Salah Eddin who is in charge of US relations and Darfur file.

During a meeting with Vice President Taha, the Congressman discussed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the recent Abyei arbitration ruling. They also discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the visiting lawmaker was briefed by Mr. Nafi on efforts conducted by the government since Abuja peace agreement to end the armed conflict in Darfur. The meeting was also attended by the Presidential Adviser Mustafa Osman Ismail.

Before his departure, Ellison said he would discuss the humanitarian situation in Darfur. He had been arrested last April in a protest in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington against the expulsion of 13 aid groups from Sudan last March.

With, Mr. Ghazi Salah Eddin, the talks where focused on the shaky bilateral relations and the lift of US economic sanctions.

(Hat tip: ISRIA)



Photo: Sudan’s VP Ali Osman Taha meets with US Congressman Keith Ellison in Khartoum, on August 5, 2009 (photo SUNA) Source: Sudan Tribune, 06 August 2009 - US Congressman discusses Sudan peace implementation and Darfur process
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From Sudan Tribune, Friday 07 August 2009 04:10:
Lawmaker reaffirms US commitment to end Darfur crisis

August 6, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — US Congressman Keith Ellison paid a one-day visit to North Darfur state on Thursday where he reiterated United States determination to support efforts to end the six year conflict in the war ravaged region.

Ellison met today with the state deputy governor, the head of Darfur peacekeeping mission, representatives of humanitarian agencies and visited Zam Zam Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, about 14 kilometers south of El-Fasher.

In El Fasher where are the headquarters of the UNAMID, the Joint Special Representative, Union Rodolphe Adada briefed the visiting US lawmaker on progress made with regard to the mission’s deployment, as well as the political, humanitarian, human rights and security situation in Darfur.

During the meeting with UNAMID officials, the U.S. congressman pointed out that the issue of Darfur was one with which the U.S. Congress was very concerned and in which it continued to be engaged, adding that his visit was an attempt to assess the situation on the ground in Darfur.

The visit of the Democrat Congressman is seen by Khartoum as an opportunity to convince more US legislators that Khartoum is exerting the needed efforts to settle the conflict and protect the IDPs as well as to encourage their voluntary return.

Sudan seeks to normalize ties with Washington and to end the economic sanctions imposed since 1993.

Adada in his remarks outlined the overall role of the UNAMIS in the ongoing peace process. "UNAMID has been growing to become the authoritative voice of peace in Darfur," he said, adding that the presence of the mission had been, "acting as a deterrent from violence."

There had been a noticeable decrease in the number of people killed over the past month, "but one life lost is too many," Adada further said.

The meeting also discussed the next year elections and its effects in Darfur, including challenges to the voter registration exercise scheduled for November.

Speaking in a meeting with deputy governor, Idriss Abdallah Hassan, Ellison praised the cooperation between Sudanese government and the joint mission adding it led to the stabilization of the IDPs communities

"I convey the commitment of the U.S. administration and its efforts to develop relations with Sudan, through mutual respect, as stated by President Obama.

Furthermore, he used the opportunity to visit Zam Zam internally-displaced-persons (IDP) camp about 14 kilometers south of El Fasher.

Ellison, who is also a member of the house committee for foreign relations, arrived in Khartoum on Tuesday evening for a visit in the African country to get updated with the situation in Darfur and the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between northern and southern Sudan.

He will also inquire into the progress being made towards the CPA implementation durng talks he should hold with the southern Sudan semi-autonomous government in Juba.

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Democracy cartoon: Obama comes to Africa



Source: Friday, July 10, 2009, Patrick Gathara, www.afrika.no
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US secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s tour of seven African nations ends on 13 August 2009 after visits to Kenya, South Africa, Angola, the DRC, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde

From Sudan Radio Service, Friday 07 August 2009:
Clinton Highlights Africa's Potential but Warns Against Corruption

(Nairobi) – During her visit to Kenya earlier this week, the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton described Africa as having the potential and the resources to compete in the world economy.

In a speech from the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Clinton urged African countries to create markets with each other rather than focus on trading with first world countries.

[Hillary Clinton]: “Africa is capable and is making economic progress. In fact, one doesn’t have to look far to see that Africa is ripe with opportunities. The single biggest opportunity that you have right now is to open up trade with each other. The market of the United States is 3 hundred million people; the market of Africa is 7 hundred million plus people. Nations of Africa trade the least with each other than any region of the world. That makes it very difficult to compete effectively.”

However, Hillary Clinton has attributed the lack of economic progress in Africa to the failure by various governments to attract investors through stability.

[Hillary Clinton]: “It's not just about good governance, this is about good business. Investors will be attracted to states that do this and they will not be attracted to states with failed or weak leadership, or crime and civil unrest, or corruption that taints every transaction and decision.”

Clinton called on African states to reform their countries by ending bad governance, corruption and impunity. She encouraged government to ensure that the private sector and civil society organizations abiding by the rule of law.

Clinton’s tour of seven African nations ends on August 13th after visits to Kenya, South Africa, Angola, the DRC, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde.