VZCZCXRO6153
OO RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKH #0122 0240846
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 240845Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0053
INFO IGAD COLLECTIVE
UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000122
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PGOV PHUM PREL SU
SUBJECT: CPA DAY CELEBRATIONS IN YAMBIO
1. Summary: On January 19, the Government of Southern Sudan
(GOSS) and Government of National Unity (GNU) hosted the fifth
anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Yambio,
Western Equatoria. Unlike the previous years' celebrations in
Malakal and Wau, there were no reports of security incidents. GNU
President Omar Al-Bashir, GOSS President Salva Kiir, Minister for
SPLA Affairs Nhial Deng Nhial, Governor Gemma Nunu Kumba and others
spoke positively about the need for full implementation of the CPA,
free and fair elections and a peaceful transition regardless of the
results of the referendum. End Summary.
2. On January 19, GNU officials, GOSS representatives and foreign
diplomats gathered in Yambio, Western Equatoria to mark the fifth
anniversary of the signing of the CPA. The speeches made by
Al-Bashir, Kiir, Nhial and others were overwhelmingly positive.
The event commenced with a speech by Governor Gemma Nunu Kumba who
highlighted the many development, security and gender issues facing
her state, Western Equatoria, as well as Sudan. She blamed the
GOSS and the international community for not doing enough to rid
Southern Sudan and especially Western Equatoria of the Lord's
Resistance Army (LRA). She praised the Sudan People's Liberation
Movement (SPLM) for increasing the percentage for female
representation to 35 percent and called on the GNU and other
parties to require the same throughout Sudan. Finally, she called
on the GNU to reimburse Western Equatoria for the 40 percent they
owed the state for the CPA celebrations, citing their lack of
reimbursement only further exacerbated underdevelopment in the
state.
3. Minister of SPLA Affairs Nhial Deng Nhial spoke on behalf of
the GOSS and stressed the importance of these CPA celebrations in
the development of different states in the south. Each year the
celebrations have focused on a different city in a different state
to ensure development throughout Southern Sudan. Nhial went on to
commend the efforts of the local government against the LRA threat.
He stated that elections must be free and fair, although he fears
like many that they won't be. He explained that the GOSS is
committed to ensuring that the National Congress Party (NCP) is not
able to disrupt elections in the south. He concluded stating that
the GOSS first, second and last priority is peace.
4. Kiir and al-Bashir called on the population of Sudan to stay
committed to CPA implementation throughout 2010. They both pledged
to work together in the remaining time to ensure that Sudan is set
up for a peaceful transition regardless of the outcome of the
referendum. Both Kiir and al-Bashir committed to ending LRA
activity in the region and offered they assistance to the people of
Western Equatoria. Kiir called on the people of Southern Sudan to
help consolidate peace and unity throughout Southern Sudan.
Al-Bashir said that if Southern Sudan opts for separation,
"Khartoum will be the first to recognize and support the new state
of Southern Sudan." However, he also added that the goal of the
NCP is to secure unity for Sudan.
5. Comment: The celebration and speeches were largely positive.
Al-Bashir's speech was not only positive, but surprising in how
open he was on the referendum. That said, it remains to be seen
whether the National Congress Party will be willing to accept the
result of the elections and referendum once the votes are in.
WHITEHEAD