Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir and his southern deputy Salva Kiir hurled blame at each other on Tuesday over failures to implement a north-south peace deal on the second anniversary of its signing.
In a lengthy speech at the stadium in Juba, the capital of south Sudan, broadcast live on national television, Kiir objected to delays in the implementation of the accord signed on January 9 2005 to end a brutal civil war, blaming the ruling National Congress party.
”Why does the National Congress continue to support armed groups to this day,” asked the first vice-president, referring to the militias still operating in the south despite provisions in the agreement calling for their dissolution.
Kiir also raised concerns over the disputed oil-rich Abyei zone, the demarcation of borders between north and south, and the sharing of oil-resources.
A visibly angry Beshir hit back, blaming delays on the south’s semi-autonomous government, which he criticised for failing to get involved in the commissions set up to oversee implementation.
”We have waited for the representatives of the south for six months and have spent $60-million so they can participate in the mechanisms for implementation,” said Beshir.
Khartoum and the former rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army signed the peace agreement in January 2005, bringing an end to 21 years of civil fighting that is believed to have left 1,5-million people dead. — AFP
