S. Sudan Urges Cooperation Ahead Of CPA Talks The Republic of South Sudan has called for cooperation with her Sudanese counterpart to enhance a break through deal on the remaining issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, CPA. 26 July 2011 S. Sudan Urges Cooperation Ahead Of CPA Talks Hon. Pagan Amum briefing the media in Juba over the CPA talks [©Gurtong]
By Waakhe Simon Wudu JUBA, 26th July, 2011 [Gurtong] - The Republic of South Sudan has called for cooperation with her Sudanese counterpart to enhance a break through deal on the remaining issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, CPA. The South Sudanese Chief Negotiator and Secretary General of the SPLM, Pagan Amum who briefed the press yesterday at noon in Juba said that, the signatories to the historic peace deal are soon to resume efforts on finalizing discussions on the remaining issues of the peace agreement. “We will be resuming the negotiations soon. On top of the agenda is the issue of South Sudan not to be discriminated from exporting its oil,” Pagan told the press in Juba, adding that, “We will also be discussing financial arrangements with the North.” He stressed that, “we are ready to contribute to the government of Khartoum provided that it accepts our terms on the oil exportation.” Khartoum is estimated to have lost about 5.5 billion US dollars in its economy following the secession of South Sudan that led to taking over control of her oil fields and producing its own currency. However, Pagan assured that, South Sudan is ready to assist Khartoum in recovering her loss by contributing 34%. Some of the key issues the two countries are expected to agree on are; the status of Abyei, the South Sudan-Sudan border arrangements and the oil resource sharing. However, experts say impossibility on a breakthrough appears already characterizing the talks ahead of the scheduled talks. Both sides have prevailing unfavourable conditions. The North has decided to impose 22.8 US Dollars on its oil transits per barrel, Pagan denounced the move while saying that, “this is irrelevant to studies South Sudan has carried in many countries where transit fee charges are 1.7/8 US Dollars per barrel.” “For them to increase transit fees... we cannot allow this!” Pagan stressed. SPLM has also demanded the withdrawal of the Sudan Armed Forces, (SAF) from the oil contested region of Abyei. Pagan said this will also facilitate agreement between the two parties. “We want the withdrawal of the SAF in Abyei quickly and immediate deployment of the Ethiopian troops,” he said. The South’s ruling party has also accused North of sabotaging its economy by breaking economic agreements between the two nations. “NCP and SPLM had earlier on before the secession agreed not to dissolve the Sudanese currency after a period of six months,” Pagan revealed. However, this has become contrary as Khartoum launched her new currency on Sunday. “This is a violation of agreement and is intended to destroy the economy of South Sudan,” Pagan said. The SPLM and NCP were the parties to the signing of the six years peace accord in 2005 that ended decades of civil war leaving millions dead and others displaced. Hon Amum explains his resignation decision During the same press briefing Hon Pagan Amum yesterday explained why he attempted to resign from the government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) on the 11 July 2011. Hon Amum explained that he felt it was time for him to give room to new blood in both the government and the party. He felt that his objective was completed with the independence of South Sudan and wanted to create space for younger people to continue the next phase of the liberation, that is, nation building. He clarified that even if his resignation had been accepted he would still remain a member of the party and would have still served in the Political Bureau as well as the National Liberation Council as a private citizen. Hon Amum denied allegations that he had been pushed to resign due to differences within the party. According to him, there had been no such differences and that the party is strong and united. He also denied the speculation that he resigned to avoid queries into his performance. The minister took oath of office on Saturday putting to an end weeks of speculation about his resignation. He pledged that he will serve the Republic of South Sudan in the best way possible. He reminded the media of his devotion to his country which dates back to the time he willingly dropped out of the university to join the struggle. He said that nothing can distract him from these ideals. Additional sources: goss.org Posted in: Home, Business, Foreign Relations, Foreign Aid/Assistance -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
