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AU mediator Mbeki says new constitution draft plans are set for Sudan

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The African Union (AU) Chief Mediator, former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, says after a marathon of discussions the government of President Omar al-Bashir and the opposition groups have agreed in principle to constitute an interim government.

This is on the basis of appointment of a prime minister as head of government, reconstitution of legislatures, as well as drafting a new constitution.

The conflict began in 2003 after African fighters took up arms against Sudan’s Arab government, accusing it of discrimination against black Africans. Despite the fighting easing in the last several years, the United Nations (UN) estimates that 300 000 people have been killed during the conflict and 4.4 million people need aid and more than 2.5 million have been displaced.

In August last year, the Sudanese opposition and armed groups signed the Roadmap Agreement which was endorsed by the government. However, the parties failed to reach an agreement on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access. The Sudan mediator says the outcry by the armed groups on these two issues were legitimate. The armed groups said they took up arms to address these issues and now they must be addressed.

Even after the Doha agreement the armed groups complained that they were not involved. This time around it was agreed that they make proposals which will be attached to the Doha agreement.

Mbeki elaborates, “It wouldn’t be difficult to conclude a cessation of hostilities agreement in Darfur once they can agree on the amendment of the Doha document. What is delaying that is that the armed groups have not made the proposals that they have been given an opportunity to make so that process is stalled because of that. With regards to the two areas of the Blue Nile and the South Kordofan and therefore the SPLM North, is that the SPLM North has not accepted proposals that have been made to resolve the humanitarian issue which was an obstacle in August last year to conclude the cessation of hostilities agreement. So we are waiting for them to come up with proposals so that they can then sign.”

On the political side the armed groups demanded the drafting of the new Constitution. The government and opposition parties have agreed and the possibility exists to draft the new constitution.

“We discussed that with the government of Sudan that it’s important to include the excluded ones and the only way to do it is not just to invite them but to engage them in a discussion about this.”

Mbeki says they have agreed in principle and the panel will be convening a meeting with all stakeholders.

Mbeki emphasized that the High-Level Implementation Panel will do its utmost to broker solutions to the problems of Sudan.

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– By Amos Phago,Lehana Tsotetsi

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