Khartoum, March 28 (SUNA)- The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the Sudan, Haile Menkerios, held a press conference on Sunday in which he commended the steps taken by the government of national unity in implementing the comprehensive
peace agreement, saying the elections are part of the stipulations of the agreement
Mr Haile Menkerios in his first press conference since taking up the post, said the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement CPA was a landmark achievement that not only ended decades of civil war that cost millions of lives but also included principles that would bring lasting peace to the country
He commended the two parties that signed the deal saying that the signatories have to be commended for maintaining their commitment to its implementation, and managing the transition without a major breakdown for the last five years
Pointing out to the elections, Menkerios said this was probably the most crucial period in Sudan's history since its independence, pointing out that the Sudanese people will be taking decisions which would impact not just their lives, but those of their future generations
He said the next critical benchmark in CPA implementation would be the conduct of national elections, preparations for which are underway. He said he coming elections have two inseparable functions , first, they are an important and essential benchmark in the implementation of the CPA; and second, they are intended to usher in a democratic process in Sudan
He said it would be the responsibility of the Government of National Unity formed by the two signatory parties and the institutions established by that government, primarily the NEC. Thus, the election in all its aspects is a totally nationally owned process
He stressed that UNMIS mandate is to assist the government and the NEC and to provide technical and logistical assistance to the National Election Commission (NEC) to enable a timely conduct of the elections
He has however stressed that the United Nations does not have a monitoring role in these elections
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