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Nairobi, March 9 , 2010

President Mwai Kibaki receives H.E Gen Salva Kiir, First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan on arrival for the 14th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Heads of State and Government at K.I.C.C, Nairobi. Looking on is H.E Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of IGAD.

President Mwai Kibaki has called on IGAD member states to candidly and honestly assess the challenges facing the implementation of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (C.P.A.).

The President said it was only by being candid that IGAD could assist both the National Congress Party and the SPLM implement the remaining phases of the C.P.A.

“This will ensure sustained peace and realization of the desired progress in Sudan beyond the 2011 referendum,” the President said.

President Kibaki was speaking today at Kenyatta International Conference Centre during the opening of the 14th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The President, at the same time, urged the National Congress Party and the SPLM to maintain dialogue, high level contact and to cooperate in order to ensure the complete implementation of the C.P.A.

“This long journey through Machakos, Naivasha and finally Nairobi remains the only viable option to sustainable peace, security and stability in Sudan ,” the President said.

Saying that the continued engagement of IGAD and the international community at the critical and final phase of the Sudan Compressive Peace Agreement was crucial, President Kibaki reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to the pursuit for lasting solutions to conflicts in the region.

The President, therefore, said IGAD has a responsibility to encourage the people of Sudan to continue manifesting the political will and practical resolve to move forward in ensuring sustainable peace, security and stability in their country.

Noting that Sudan is scheduled to hold its first national elections next month followed by a referendum in January next year, President Kibaki said the two events were major milestones that will shape the future of the country.

The President, however, pointed out that issues of the agreement on post-referendum arrangements, completion of the demarcation of the North/South border and that of Abyei, completion of the redeployment of the military forces and dealing with the intermittent skirmishes in the South still call for urgent attention and continued collaboration.

Recalling that five years ago the signing of the historic Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement which ended one of Africa’s longest conflicts was witnessed in Nairobi, the President said the C.P.A. not only marked the beginning of a new and brighter future for Sudan, but it also signaled a new era for Africa where African solutions could be applied to African problems through dialogue.

The President observed that since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement a lot has been achieved in the implementation of the Accord.

He cited the ceasefire and power-sharing arrangements are in place, improved security in the Sudan and increased efforts towards post-conflict reconstruction as some of the achievement since the signing of the Sudan peace accord.

Said the President: “This is evident by the infrastructural development witnessed in the last five years.”

President Kibaki further pointed out that the recent meetings between the two sides have also yielded tangible results on key issues including agreement on increased representation in Parliament by the SPLM, a consensus on the disputed 2008 population census results and establishment of a referendum commission in which the two parties will both be included.

The Head of State, therefore, applauded the efforts, sacrifices and the commitments made by the two partners and the entire people of the Sudan in the implementation of the C.P.A. so far.

Thanking IGAD members, President Kibaki noted that presence at the summit was a clear reaffirmation of the significant role of IGAD and her partners in the Sudan and expressed optimism that their efforts will bear fruit.

“I am confident that this Summit will help us to recognize the peace dividends delivered by the C.P.A to the people of Sudan , and the entire IGAD sub-region. The summit also offers us the opportunity to rededicate our efforts to fully implement the remaining provisions of the historic accord,” President Kibaki said.

The President paid tribute to his predecessor retired President Daniel arap Moi and retired Lieutenant General Lazarus Sumbeiywo for their dedication and valuable contribution to the Sudan peace process.

President Kibaki also thanked the two parties to the C.P.A. for agreeing to attend the summit, saying their participation demonstrated their commitment to the full attainment of peace, security and stability in the Sudan as well as the entire IGAD Sub-region.

On their part, the President of Southern Sudan Gen. Salva Kiir and the Second Vice President of Sudan Ali Osman Taha expressed appreciation to the IGAD Heads of State and Government and the international community for the continued support to their country’s peace process.

Mr. Taha particularly thanked the international community for their contribution towards resolving the Darfur conflict.

The two Sudanese leaders were united in reaffirming their commitment to free and fair elections in their country next month.

Gen. Kiir and Mr. Taha said the referendum slated for January next year would give the people of Sudan the opportunity to define their destiny.

In his report, IGAD Executive Secretary Eng. Mahboub Maalim noted that IGAD was keenly following and supporting developments in Sudan and would do everything possible to ensure full implementation of the C.P.A.

Eng. Maalim stressed the need for formulation of a mechanism to build trust among the two parties to the Sudan C.P.A. in addressing both the pre and post referendum scenarios.

Former President Moi commended President Al Bashir of Sudan and Gen. Kiir for the constructive and brotherly dialogue their parties have held towards resolving outstanding issues in the peace process.

Mr. Moi, who was in Juba recently on invitation of Southern Sudan President Kiir, called on the parties to the conflict to strengthen their resolve to ensure full implementation of the C.P.A. for a sustainable peace in the country.

The former President said he was impressed and encouraged by the current peaceful environment in Sudan and exhorted both parties to apply an integrated approach to resolve any pending issues.

The IGAD Chairman Meles Zenawi expressed appreciation to President Kibaki and the Kenya Government for the immense contribution to the peace process in Sudan.

The extra-ordinary summit was also attended by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka among others.