“The AUHIP will re‐convene the meeting of the Lead Negotiation Panel of the CPA Partners on Monday, 13th December 2010 in Juba to continue consideration of progress reports on the negotiations on Post‐ Referendum Arrangements.
Last Wednesday, 8th December, the Lead Panel, which is composed of
representatives of the SPLM and the NCP, commenced, in Juba, deliberations on the progress reports of the negotiation cluster groups. The meeting was then adjourned to 13th December by agreement of the parties.
The joint cluster groups, which are the main negotiation fora, have made reports on each of the main negotiation areas. These are: economic issues, citizenship, security arrangements and international treaties and other legal issues. Upon concluding its deliberations on the clusters’ reports, the Lead Panel will then provide the necessary political and procedural guidance to the cluster groups to enable the expeditious completion of their work.
Before adjourning Wednesday’s meeting, the Chairperson of the AUHIP, former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, urged the parties to apply themselves diligently to these negotiations which, he reminded them, are critical for addressing the future of the people of Sudan.
The AUHIP is confident that the CPA partners can reach comprehensive and
constructive agreements on all the post‐referendum issues, informed by a
commitment to the mutual viability of the North and the South, regardless of the outcome of the South Sudan Referendum. The Panel will continue to work with the parties for the successful and timely completion of these negotiations.”