Sudan - peace

Former enemies signed deal to bolster peace

Article published on the 2009-08-19 Latest update 2009-08-19 18:01 TU

(Photo: Reuters)

Former enemies from the north and south of Sundan have signed an “action plan” in a bid to create better relations and cooperation between to two sides. It is hoped this new deal, that was witnessed by US special envoy Scott Gration will enforce the 2005 peace deal that ended Sudan’s 22 year-civil war.

The document covers key issues such as next months elections, peace efforts on the war torn Darfur region as well as demarcation of the north and south border and power sharing.

Further negotiations regarding the 2011 independence referendum for the south as well as the results of a disputed census seen as key to the 2010 elections, still need to be worked on.

The South’s main party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement hope the deal will improve relations in a country still divided by the religious, ethnic and ideological differences over which the war was fought.

Ghazi Salahuddin of Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir’s National Congress Party said of the agreement: “It is a way of re-expressing commitment and putting deadlines in work to be achieved. We have been through difficult times, we have differed as usual but I think we have achieved a lot.”