The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, expressed his concern over the detention and alleged beating of some prominent Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) leaders, opposition supporters and civil society activists during demonstrations earlier today, as well as the reported setting on fire of National Congress Party (NCP) offices.
Coming at a very critical stage in NCP-SPLM negotiations on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) issues, Mr Qazi said, these developments could have adverse implications for the implementation of the CPA. He emphasized the central importance of political rights and freedoms, especially in the lead-up to elections and referendum.
Welcoming the subsequent release of SPLM leaders as well as First Vice President Salva Kiir's call for calm and restraint, Mr. Qazi urged all concerned authorities to take effective measures to ensure that law and order is maintained and acts of political violence are prevented. He called on both parties to give the highest priority to bringing about a conducive political environment for the successful implementation of the CPA.
For further information, contact Ashraf Eissa, UNMIS Spokesperson. Phone: + (249) 912 39 22 70. Email: eissaa@un.org or Kouider Zerrouk. Phone: + (249) 912 39 65 39. Email: Zerrouk@un.org