By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
JUBA, Sudan – North and South Sudan signed a deal on Wednesday to implement many of the disputed and neglected items in the 2005 peace accord, therefore making the continuation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement more feasible.
The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ended Sudan’s 22-year civil war, the longest war on the African continent. This new signed deal will help bolster the 2005 CPA and will result in better cooperation and stronger relations that will hopefully result in a brighter future for Sudan.
The document they signed is the result of months of negotiations between the two sides. Their hard work has come up with fresh impetus to implement the remaining key issues of the peace deal. This new agreement covers key areas that both sides will work together on, including upcoming elections (next April), peace efforts in the war-torn region of Darfur, demarcating the north and south border, and power sharing.
This “action plan” witnessed by the United States special envoy Scott Gration, sets out a framework for resolving any of the outstanding issues in the north-south conflict.
Regardless of the recent deal, two major issues still exist where the two sides are divided, although both “remain to be fully worked out,” says Gration. The bottom line is, this deal does not completely erase the ongoing religious, ethnic, and ideological difference over which the war was fought, it only helps to reduce the violence.
The two major issues are the independence referendum for the south, which is due in 2011, and the disputed census seen as key to the 2010 elections.
Next, Gration will ravel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to resume talks with the leadership of the Darfuri armed movements on unification efforts in support of the to Doha peace process.
For more information, please see:
AFP – Sudan Ex-Foes Sign Deal to Bolseter Peace Accord – 19 August 2009
BBC – Sudanese Foes Sign New Peace Deal – 19 August 2009
Reuters – North, South Sudan Agree on Peace Deal Elements – 19 August 2009
America.gov – Envoy Gration Takes Peace Mission to Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt – 18 August 2009
