The Sudan transitional government and various opposition groups under the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) on Sunday signed implementation matrix and agreed to a two-year time table for implementation of the Juba peace agreement.
Among the key issues in the signed matrix include, security arrangements for Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile state. The second issue is on wealth and power sharing with opposition groups in central and northern Sudan.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit said the new roadmap is not an attempt at renegotiating the 2020 Juba peace agreement signed to end decades of conflict, but rather to facilitate dialogue among parties to transition the country toward sustainable peace.
“The objective of this workshop is to create conducive environment for all the parties and stake-holders to evaluate the implementation of Juba peace agreement, specifically, the workshop takes stock of challenges faced during implementation in the last two years with a goal of nudging the parties towards forging new political will to resolve outstanding issues,” Kiir said during the signing ceremony in Juba.
The Sudanese parties’ commenced workshop in Juba on February 13th to evaluate progress and challenges encountered in the due course of implementing the peace deal which was mediated by South Sudan.
“The government of Sudan can now engage in dialogue with hold-out groups, other Sudanese political forces and civil society groups on how to achieve comprehensive peace in Sudan,” Kiir said.
He said the latest agreements will fast-track the formation of the transitional government of national unity in Khartoum.
“I would like to remind all of us that peace in Sudan is peace in South Sudan, let us agree and resolve to have peace within and across our international borders,” Kiir said.
President Salva Kiir and his Sudanese counterpart Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (center) are seen holding aloft the new signed matrix.
The opposition parties which signed the matrix include SPLM-North sector led by Malik Agar, Justice Equality Movement under Jibril Ibrahim, Democratic Union party led by Eltom Hajou and the Sudan Liberation Movement under Minni Minnawi.
The hold-out groups such as SPLM-N sector led by Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu and Sudan Liberation Movement under Abdul Wahi Al-Nur did not sign the matrix.
Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, head of the Sudan Sovereign Council said his government remains committed to realize security, freedom and development in all regions of Sudan.
“The implementation of Juba peace agreement will help in putting into practice the 2012 cooperation agreement, providing joint border security and opening of border points for trade and exchange,” Al-Burhan said.
Sudan and South Sudan signed the 2012 cooperation agreement which covers a package of understandings relating to security, citizens’ status, border and economic issues and others relating to oil and trade.
Minni Minnawi, the leader of Sudan Liberation Movement called on the international community and the region to avail financial and political support for implementation of the peace deal which has stalled due to lack of funding and political uncertainty in Sudan.
“We need political and financial support including regional and international support to bring changes and fully implement all pending tasks. In Darfur, we call for peace and development and we hope Juba peace agreement will allow refugees and internally displaced persons to return to their original homes,” Minnawi said.
Stephanie Khoury, the Office-in-Charge of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), said support for the revitalized Juba peace agreement will set priorities and help finalize the implementation.
She said implementation of the peace deal offers opportunities to turn things around.
Khoury said peace in Sudan will avail economic opportunities and also ensure safety and security for women who continue to face gender -based violence.
