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From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sat Sep 18 2010 - 05:51:46 EDT
<http://allafrica.com/sudan/> Sudan: Critical Engagement Needed in Runup to
January Referendum - Salva Kiir
18 September 2010
_____
Document
Washington, DC - Keynote Address on the Occasion of the Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation 40th Annual Conference Foreign Affairs Brain Trust Event
at the Washington Convention Center by Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice
President of the Republic of the Sudan and President of the Government of
Southern Sudan
My brothers and sisters, members of the American Congressional Caucus,
Invited participants, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to be here today. I would like to thank
Congressman Donald Payne, my dear brother and friend, for inviting me to
speak today in this auspicious forum. This gives me the opportunity to pay
tribute to his extraordinary leadership, solidarity and courage on the issue
of Sudan.
At a time of great difficulty and suffering for Sudan, and the South in
particular, you and your colleagues in Congress - Wolf, Smith, Capuano,
Jackson Lee, Franks, Senators Brownback, Kerry, Wicker, Feingold, Dodd and
among others - stood with us and worked for peace in my country. I vividly
recall Donald Payne's visit to Nimule in 1993, at a time of great strife for
us. I also take this opportunity to remember one of the great friends of our
Movement whom we sadly and prematurely lost in a tragic plane crash,
Congressman Mick Leland.
Why do I have to recall that visit to Nimule? Because it helped produce a
Congressional resolution of support for the SPLM call for the right of the
people of Southern Sudan to self-determination, a commitment that lies at
the heart of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that finally brought
peace to our country in 2005, a right that will be exercised - at last - in
a crucial and historic referendum in January 2011. Congressman, I am
convinced that your efforts have saved many lives in my country. I honour
you today, sir, and thank you.
I would also like to recognize Congressional Black Caucus Chairperson,
Barbara Lee and thank her for her work on Sudan. I remember Barbara you also
visited Juba and I regard you all as good friends of the Sudanese people. I
must also recognize my great sister Dr. Susan Rice for her contribution for
peace.
I also want to thank the American people, and pay tribute to them, for their
steadfast support. Their pressure, and concern, was immensely important in
securing peace. Their continued interest, like yours, will be more necessary
than ever in the testing months ahead.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
My predecessor and late hero, Dr John Garang De Mabior also addressed this
August gathering in September 2004, just a few months before the CPA was
signed that ended so many years of war in Sudan. The CPA remains the vital
foundation of peace today, and will remain so in the months ahead.
I want today to welcome and express gratitude for the extraordinary
leadership of the United States, under many administrations, that made the
CPA happen and is still helping to ensure that peace is maintained. That
leadership remains essential.
In recent days, President Obama's Administration has reiterated and
reinforced American engagement for the crucial months ahead. The
Administration has deployed extra staff and resources and recently released
some very clear messages about what is necessary from the parties in Sudan.
I very much welcome this engagement. It could not be more necessary now than
any other time before. President Obama's commitment to attend next week's UN
High Level meeting on Sudan is a very important signal of his own personal
interest, and with it, American engagement. I am immensely grateful and look
forward to continued contacts with him personally.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
http://allafrica.com/img/csi/00161200_115527b6f895a128120ff458c7fc3df2/w260x
.jpgAllAfrica
Southern Sudan leader Salva Kiir
Today, we are left with over 100 days to reach the vital moment in the
history of the CPA, the Referendum. This is an extraordinary moment in the
history of Africa. We must be realistic and clear-sighted about what lies
ahead of us. January's referendum will likely make clear the wish of the
people of Southern Sudan for their own state in case of the choice of
secession. Thus, US Government leadership and day-to-day involvement will be
vital to make sure that the transition to a new state happens smoothly and
peacefully. This will only happen if the international community, led by the
United States, requires all parties to stick to the commitments that they
have already made.
Southern Sudan has achieved much in the years since the CPA was signed.
Despite our history of decades of war and destruction, we have a working
democracy, we have a functioning government providing security and law and
order. Business is beginning to flourish. But for our people to enjoy peace
and prosperity in the years to come, we need your help especially during
these very difficult challenges of the months ahead.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Over the last 5 years, it has become clear that unity has not been made an
option for our people. Our partners in the North showed very little interest
or activity to make unity a realistic proposition. At the moment, all signs
point to the fact that on January 9th, 2011 Southern Sudanese people will
vote overwhelmingly for independence. Together we must prepare for this
eventuality.
While my own government is moving heaven and earth to ensure that the
necessary referenda in Southern Sudan and Abyei should take place correctly
and on time, there have been worrying signs of foot-dragging from our
partners in the North. Here is a clear task for the international community.
It should be signaled clearly to the parties that no disruption or delay to
these referenda can be tolerated.
As we look forward to this historic event, it is important to recognize the
limitations of the environment in which we are operating. Southern Sudan is
not Switzerland, thus, our geography and infrastructure may work against us.
The measure of credibility of the vote should be clear and understood
beforehand. We are working for a vote that represents fairly the views of
the people. This should be the measure of the legitimacy of the process. It
is not realistic to demand perfection but it is in our interest that a free,
fair and transparent process is put in place.
Critically important is that the referenda take place on time, as stipulated
in the CPA. Delay or denial of the right of self-determination for the
people of Southern Sudan and Abyei risks dangerous instability. There is
without question a real risk of a return to violence on a massive scale if
the referenda do not go ahead as scheduled. To us, the timing of the
referenda is sacrosanct. The weight of our history, the depths of our
peoples' suffering and corresponding expectations, the promises of their
leaders both in the North and South, and the guarantees of the international
community create no space for wavering on this commitment.
Once a vote takes place, a different challenge will emerge. Here again, we
will need the leadership of the United States and its allies, and other
guarantors of the CPA, to ensure a peaceful transition. It will be vital
that the international community respect its stated commitment to accept the
results, and help the parties make the necessary arrangements for a new
situation to emerge.
As we prepare for the referendum, we have also begun negotiations on
post-referendum issues. The Government of Southern Sudan has approached
these negotiations with seriousness and good intentions. We are genuinely
willing to negotiate with our brothers in the North, and are prepared to
work in a spirit of partnership to create sustainable relations between
Northern and Southern Sudan for the long-term. It is in our interest to see
that the North remains a viable state, just as it should be in the interests
of the North to see Southern Sudan remain a viable one too. The North is our
neighbour, it shares our history, and it hosts our brothers and sisters.
Moreover, I have reiterated several times in my speeches in the past that
even if Southern Sudan separates from the North it will not shift to the
Indian Ocean or to the Atlantic Coast. We will strive to be good neighbors.
>From the very beginning, the SPLM has often negotiated for the South in good
faith, basing itself on a comprehensive set of principles - principles that
we hope the North will ascribe to as well. These include that there should
be good relations and peace between the people of Northern and Southern
Sudan; that we develop trade and economic relations on the basis of equality
and mutual benefit; that we negotiate post-referendum issues fairly and
consistent with international law; that we work to preserve and enhance the
livelihoods of all Sudanese people, including those depending on traditional
migrations across the North/South border.
I want to particularly mention two issues of well-known concern. The first
is oil, where everybody seems to think that in order for Southern Sudan to
become an independent state, it must give up most of its oil reserves to the
North. Now where is justice? The North has been sharing with us the oil from
the South while having exclusive consumption of revenues from northern oil
produce. We should have mutually agreed for a formula that is satisfactory
to all so that our populations should have equal economic benefits from the
oil sector.
That notwithstanding, we believe that there is a very real opportunity to
demonstrate how two states can work together cooperatively to bring economic
prosperity to both of their nations in the event of secession. To this end,
we have recently agreed with the NCP, the governing party in Khartoum, a
full independent audit of Sudan's petroleum sector along with the
publication of daily production figures in order to promote an atmosphere of
trust and accountability between North and South.
The second particular and critical issue is citizenship, so that the safety
and rights of Southerners in the North, safety and rights of Northerners in
the South, as well as for the peoples who have traditionally travelled
through the border areas, are fully protected. I have committed my
government to provide and guarantee adequate security for all Sudanese in a
manner that respects the rule of law and the rights and freedoms of all
individuals, no matter what their tribe, origin, religion, or ethnicity. We
look for the same commitment from the North.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
These negotiations will not succeed without the help of the international
community, and in particular the leadership of the United States. We
urgently need your country, and the world, to pay close attention to what is
about to happen in Sudan. Your interest, and your pressure for the parties
to keep to their commitments, will be essential to ensure a successful, and
above all, peaceful outcome. Even now, there is a pressing issue that can
only be resolved with US attention, that of Abyei, where stability now and
in the future depends on the implementation of the Permanent Court of
Arbitration's decision, which Khartoum claims to have accepted, but where
there has been continual delay. We do not want Abyei to become the potential
epicenter for conflict to reignite between the South and the North. As the
mid-wife of the Abyei Protocol, the US has a special role to see to it that
there is no reverse to war because of the lack of implementation of the
Abyei Protocol.
I am happy to mention to you that US engagement has stepped up in recent
months, both in Juba and Khartoum. We very much welcome this and are very
grateful for the efforts exerted by the Obama Administration to assist the
parties fulfill their obligations to the CPA. In this context, we welcome
Ambassador Princeton Lyman's appointment to support the negotiation process,
and we look forward to - and indeed are already enjoying - working with him
closely.
But when we consider these negotiations, I would like to stress that it
should not be up to the South to put all of the compromises on the table at
the outset. There are rising calls that the South must make 'accommodations'
and 'compromises', if it expects the North to accept its independence. The
terms 'accommodation', 'compromise' and phrases such as "buy your freedom"
are troubling. These terms imply in some way that the South has not already
made significant compromises and sacrifices. Anyone who knows the history of
our country knows that nothing could be further from the truth.
We must also be realistic about these negotiations. It is unlikely that we
will agree on all aspects of the post-referendum arrangements before January
9th, 2011. We will work hard to get as far as possible. But the timing of
the referendum is sacrosanct. The vote must happen on time on January 9th,
2011, and is not contingent on the conclusion of any post-referendum
negotiations, including over the border, as the CPA itself makes it clear.
Elsewhere, referenda have successfully been held even when borders were not
completely resolved, including in Eritrea and Ukraine. Southern Sudan should
not be different. As I have already said, the CPA is very clear that the
referenda must take place on the specified date.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The referendum will mark the beginning of a longer journey towards
development and improved livelihoods for our people. We want to responsibly
and sustainably exploit our country's natural resources, while also
recognizing the need to diversify our country's economy, and in particular
to develop our agricultural sector.
In the area of good government, I acknowledge that we have much work to do.
Let me reiterate my personal commitment, as well as the government's
commitment, to establish transparent and accountable government where
nepotism and corruption have no place, and guarantee that minority rights
are protected and minority populations and interests are given voice and
representation in all decision-making bodies of Southern Sudan.
However, I would like to point out that after the referendum, our people
will continue to need help. In particular, we will need the support of
multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, and arrangements to allow
Southern Sudan to benefit from soft loans and grants in order to develop
rapidly. American leadership is critical for this, and in shaping and
supporting the UN presence in Southern Sudan, which will remain necessary in
order to help with the remaining issues of post-referendum negotiations such
as border demarcation and the protection of civilians in border areas.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me conclude by saying the following about the future of the Sudan:
. My final appeal to you all is that the future of Sudan is hanging in the
balance; therefore, it requires the attention of the region and the
international community at large.
. It is important to note that ensuring full CPA implementation (up to the
timely conduct of the referenda in Southern Sudan and Abyei) is ensuring
permanent peace in the region and the world.
. US Government to maintain its focus on Sudan and work with the
international community particularly the Troika and the UN to intervene if
conflict arises during and after the conduct of the referendum.
. There is urgent need for the US government, the Troika, IGAD countries,
the African Union and the international community to explicitly endorse the
referendum and recognition of the choice of the people of Southern Sudan and
Abyei.
. The world should view Southern Sudan as a potential contributor to
regional and international peace should it become independent after the
referendum.
. Southern Sudan will be the catalyst for the consolidation of democracy in
the Sudan.
. Southern Sudan is a potential market to the region because already the
neighboring countries of Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and DR Congo are benefiting
a great deal from it.
. Therefore, I urge American investors and other investors worldwide to come
and invest in Southern Sudan. In terms of agriculture, it will be the bread
basket of the region and the world.
. Finally, I urge the US Government and the international donor community to
contribute generously in the building of the capacity of Southern Sudan so
as to develop in order to catch up with the rest of the region and the
international community in terms of modernization.
<http://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00011774.html> Salva Kiir
Appeals for Sudan Engagement
* NEWS <http://allafrica.com/stories/201009180001.html> - Sudan:
Salvir Kiir Says International Support for Referendum is Critical for Peace
In a nutshell, we have a roadmap for success in Sudan, which is the CPA. It
is up to all of us to ensure that it is fully implemented. I am grateful for
your support and interest in my country and people. I urge you to maintain
bi-partisan support, and ensure peace in this determinative phase of Sudan's
history. In order to preserve and sustain the peace, we need you and the
world needs America!
We have a lot of work to do between now and January 9th, 2011, but with your
help, I am confident that we can achieve our common goals: economic
development, the protection of human rights, but above all a sustainable and
lasting peace for all of the people of Sudan.
Once again, I thank Congressman Payne and colleagues for having afforded me
this golden moment to share with you about the fears and hopes of the future
of our country.
Thank you and May God Almighty bless you always!
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