Security Council welcomes security agreement in Sudan's conflict10 October – The United Nations Security Council today welcomed security agreements reached between the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) that would help settle the long conflict.
"The Security Council welcomes the agreements on security arrangements reached in Naivasha, Kenya, between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A)," Ambassador James B. Cunningham of the United States, which holds the Presidency of the 15-member Council for October, said in a statement read out in an open meeting.
The transitional military agreement, signed late last month, deals with the status of the two forces and arrangements for their integration. An internationally monitored ceasefire will come into effect from the date of a comprehensive peace agreement. It also forbids the use of the Government's and the former secessionist armies to maintain domestic law and order, except in certain emergencies.
"The Security Council looks forward to the successful conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement, based on the Machakos Protocol," Ambassador Cunningham added.
The two-decades-old civil conflict between the Government and the forces in southern Sudan is the longest running in Africa. The Machakos Protocol was worked out in Machakos, Kenya, in July 2002 under the auspices of the Inter-governmental Authority on Regional Development (IGAD), chaired by Kenya.
That text says, "For avoidance of doubt, no one shall be subject to discrimination by the National Government, state, institutions, group of persons or person on grounds of religion or other beliefs.Eligibility for public office, including the presidency, public service and the enjoyment of all rights and duties shall be based on citizenship and not on religion, beliefs and customs."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
