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Communiqué of the 16th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of States and government
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Nov 24, 2010 - 7:33:01 AM
Communiqué of the 16th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of States and government on the Sudan Addis Ababa, 23 November 2010 /
Khartoum, Nov. 23 (SUNA) - The 16th Extraordinary Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) Tuesday held its sitting in Addis Ababa and issued its final communiqué which commended the prevailing spirit between the two partners of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) as well as their affirmation to work to achieve a peaceful solution for the pending issues and not to return to war once again
In this regard, Sudan News Agency hereunder publishes the full text of the final communiqué issued by the Summit of IGAD, issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 23 November 2010, at the conclusion of the Summit: - The IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government held its 16th Extra-Ordinary Summit in Addis Ababa, on 23 November 2010,under the Chairmanship of H.E. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of IGAD to consider the progress on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in the Sudan. The Assembly also had on its agenda an update on the situation in Somalia. The Assembly also was attended by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Omar Hassan Ahmed El Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, H.E. Ismael Omar Gulleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya and Chairperson of the IGAD Sub Committee on Sudan, H.E. Yusuf Hassan Ibrahim, representing the President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and Eng. Mahboub M. Maalim, Executive Secretary of IGAD
The Assembly was addressed by H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and H.E. President Mwai Kibaki
The Assembly received a report from H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and current Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers, on the proceedings of the 38th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council
The Assembly was briefed on the implementation of the CPA by H.E. Omar Hassan Ahmed El Bashir, President of the Republic of the Sudan; H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Government of Southern Sudan and Chairperson of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM) ; H.E. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; H.E. Thabo Mbeki, Chairperson of the AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP); Sir Derek Plumbly, Chairperson of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC); and H.E.Haile Menkerios, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to Sudan
The Assembly also receivedan update on Somalia from H.E. Yusuf Hassan Ibrahim and Hon. Kipruto Arap Kirwa, IGAD Facilitator for Somalia Peace and National Reconciliation
On Sudan : After extensive deliberations on the progress of the implementation of the CPA in the Sudan, The Assembly , 1. Takes note that this summit comes at a critical juncture in Sudan's history as a nation, just less than two moths before the referendum on self-determination for the people of Southern Sudan, and a few days after the start of registration of voters for that referendum. This represents a significant milestone in the implementation of the CPA, negotiated and agreed under the auspices of IGAD in January 2005
2. Reiterates the commitment of IGAD member States not only to continue their support for the full implementation of the CPA but also to support the Sudan during the post referendum period for the sake of peace, stability and democracy. In this respect, the Assembly recalls its longstanding friendship and solidarity with the Sudan and its people and affirms its full confidence in the leadership of President Omar Hassan El Bashir and Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, Chairperson of SPLM, to lead Sudan into a new era of peace, irrespective of whether the people of Southern Sudan choose unity or secession
3. Commends the efforts of the AUHIP, comprising of President Thabo Mbeki, as Chairperson, President Abdulsalami Abubakar and President Pierre Buyoya, in facilitating the Parties' agreements on the implementation of outstanding issues in the CPA and Post-Referendum Arrangements. The summit was particularly encouraged by the parties' commitment in achieving in the event of the secession of southern Sudan, two viable States, living as peaceful and cooperative neighbors that maintain common security as well as "soft border" between the North and South that forges cooperation without disruption to the livelihoods of the people. The Summit expressed its readiness to support the efforts of AUHIP by all means possible
4. Welcomes the dedication of the Parties to resolve the outstanding issues in particular Abyei and called upon the parties to approach the next round of negotiations with a spirit of compromise cognizant of the need to guarantee the rights and livelihoods of the affected people
5. Welcomes the commitment of the Sudanese Parties to the timely and credible conduct of free and fair referendum and the respect for its outcome; and Notes in particular the commitment by the parties to never return to war but instead to seek peaceful resolution of issues that may divide them. The Summit emphasized that political tensions be managed within the limits in the context of the exceptional character of Sudan as a melting pot, owing to its exceptional generosity of its people
6. Underlines the progress made towards reaching a Framework Agreement, but at the same time expresses concern over pending issues that continue to threaten the full implementation of the CPA and urges the Parties, to expeditiously resolve the remaining difference on the issues of border demarcation, the Abyei referendum and post referendum arrangements
7. Recognizes the steps undertaken to finalize the popular consultations in Blue Nile and South Kordofan States and urges the parties to agree on a practical timeline for completion of the exercise before the end of the CPA Interim Period
8. Requests the AUHIP to keep IGAD updated through its Chairperson on the progress of negotiations including the ongoing discussions between the two Parties
9. Mandates the Chairperson of IGAD Assembly to present IGAD's position to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) at its forthcoming session due to be held in Tripoli, Libya and requests the Summit to Take due note of its recommendations
On Somalia : After having listened the update and following exchange of views on the political, security and humanitarian situation in Somalia, The Assembly, 1. Notes with serious Concern the political developments in Somalia that continue to be characterized by internal wrangles and lack of cohesion among the leadership of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) that have prevented progress in the accomplishment of the transitional tasks and in view of the urgency arising from the end of the transition period in August 2011
2. Calls upon the presidency and the parliament not only to work together with cohesion but also to ensure that there is total harmony among the leadership of the two institutions
3. Urges the leadership of the TFIs to move expeditiously in the confirmation of the new cabinet, outlining the road map defining the key tasks to be implemented during the remaining transition period
4. Affirms unswerving and continued support of IGAD Member States to the TFIs of Somalia in their endeavour to create peace, security and stability in the country, put in place the institutions of governance and deliver basic services to the people of Somalia
5. Urges the TFIs, in close consultations with Somalia people, IGAD and the international community to carefully examine and provide the appropriate political options before the end of the transitional period
6. Gravely concerned over the highly volatile security situation in Somalia with armed opposition groups unleashing terrorist attacks on the people of Somalia, the TFG, and AMISOM
7.Directs the Chiefs of Defense Staff of IGAD Member States to review reports submitted by military experts in their recent mission to Somalia , assess the current situation on the ground and make further recommendation on actions required to help in the re-organization of the TFG security forces and assist AMISOM to fulfill its mandate
8. Regrets the slow progress in the full implementation of the agreement the TFG and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama(ASWJ) and calls upon the TFG and the leadership of (ASWJ) to take the necessary steps for the speedy and full implementation of their commitments under the agreement
9. Welcomes the appointment of former President of Ghana, H.E. Jerry John Rawlings as the High Representative of the African Union Commission to Somalia and expresses its desires to see the eminent person embark on his duties promptly
10. Welcomes the communiqué of the 245th of the AU Peace and Security Council and fully supports the decisions contained herein, which are fully in line with the 15th Extra-Ordinary Summit notes with satisfaction the communiqué comprehensively addresses all the aspects of the situation in Somalia , whether they related to the political process, the military and security aspects , capacity building for the Transitional Federal Institutions, piracy, sanctions against spoilers , and the role of the international community
11. Notes with deep concern that the United Nations Security Council has yet to respond to the request formally made by the AU Peace and Security Council to, inter alia, (i) endorse the revised concept of operations and newly authorized strength of AMISOM of 20,000,(ii) authorize an enhanced support package for AMISOM, funded through UN assessed contributions, on the basis of the newly- authorized strength,(iii) impose, in response to the request by the AU and the region , a naval blockade and a no-fly zone over Somalia to prevent the entry of foreign elements into Somalia , as well as flights and shipments carrying weapons and ammunitions to armed groups inside Somalia(iv) ensure the effective implementations of sanctions against all those impeding the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia, and (v) reaffirms its commitment
12. Stresses that, given the critical juncture in the Somalia peace and reconciliation process and the prevailing situation on the ground, any further delay in acting on the request of the AU PSC has a potential of undermining the ongoing efforts and the prospects for achieving lasting peace and reconciliation in Somalia. Accordingly, the Summit strongly urged the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities and take the steps expected of its in support of AMISOM, consistent with the provisions of Chapter VII of the UN Charter
13. Reiterates its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Burundi and Uganda for their unflinching commitment to peace and reconciliation in Somalia and their invaluable contribution to AMISOM, and notes with satisfaction their readiness to provide additional troops for AMISOM to reach its newly authorized strength. 14. Directs the Executive Secretary of IGAD to formally submit this communiqué to the UNSC and report back to IGAD through the current Chairperson
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