MaximsNewsNetwork: 18 October 2010 -- UNMIS: Khartoum, Sudan -- Members of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's panel tasked with monitoring the upcoming referenda on self-determination in Sudan on Friday concluded their trip to Sudan with a press conference expressing their concerns on funding, tensions in Abyei and uncertainty on post-referendum arrangements; the three-member panel which arrived in Khartoum earlier in the week on Sunday (10th October) on their first visit to the country met with President Omar al-Bashir of the Government of Sudan, President Salva Kiir of the Government of Southern Sudan, as well as senior officials from both governments; members of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and Bureau; the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Abyei Administration; civil society; observer groups; international organizations; donors and the diplomatic community.
"We are very concerned about the lack of progress on several fronts, especially on voter registration, as there are just 86 days to go before people are due to vote. We are deeply concerned about Abyei, which is crucial for peace and stability in Sudan. The situation on the ground there is reported to be very tense. We are aware of the ongoing efforts of the parties to find an acceptable solution. Another round of talks is taking place later this month. It is vital that they succeed so that the Abyei referendum can take place," said Mkapa.
The panel is chaired by Benjamin Mkapa, former President of Tanzania. Its other members are António Monteiro, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, and Bhojraj Pokharel, former Chairman of the Election Commission of Nepal.
The task of the panel is to play a good offices role on behalf of the UN Secretary-General to help ensure that the referenda in Southern Sudan and the Abyei Area are credible & peaceful, and to offer recommendations when and if required.
Two referenda are slated for 9 January 2011: one in which the people of Southern Sudan will vote for either unity or secession, and another in which the people of the Abyei Area will vote to either remain with the north or become part of the south.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon formed the panel after a request from the parties to Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), who sought a UN monitoring body to help enhance the credibility of the referenda and therefore ensure the acceptance of their results by their constituencies and the international community.
Mkapa said he was pleased to hear from all the parties that they are committed to playing their part to make the referenda a success but urged the parties to tone down their rhetoric as this would ease tensions.
"On both sides the atmosphere remains negatively charged. Threats and accusations are being made. Toning down the rhetoric will go a long way towards easing tensions and promoting dialogue and it will contribute to providing a conducive environment for the referenda. Southerners living in the north and northerners living in the south also deserve guarantees on their protection and fundamental freedoms, irrespective of the outcome of the referenda," said Mkapa.
The panel will make periodic visits to Sudan in the lead-up to and during the referenda and report back to the Secretary-General on their findings, and will be assisted by field staff across the country. Mkapa said their next visit would be in when voter registration begins.
Mkapa said that the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau do not have enough money to hire staff, to train them or to pay for basic equipment or transport so they can distribute registration materials.
"Funding from both the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan is lagging. They must come forward with their share of the funds so that the commission and bureau can carry out their work," said Mkapa.
He also urged that the international community should also show greater flexibility towards the commission and the bureau so they could perform their essential duties.
.... ( UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SUDAN: UNMIS )
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