State asked to ensure peace in Sudan vote

Parliament wants Kenya to ensure that the January 9, 2011 referendum in Southern Sudan is conducted peacefully and on the set date.

Turkana Central MP Ekwee Ethuro has issued a notice of Motion asking Parliament to compel the Government to ensure that all parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) respect the outcome of the much-awaited plebiscite.

He says Kenya played a key role in the CPA and that it is the current Chair of the Inter-Government Authority on Development and has an obligation to ensure peaceful and timely referendum.

So far more than 3.2 million Southern Sudanese have registered to take part in the crucial vote that is one of the principle agreements signed in the CPA in 2005. The CPA was signed to end a 21-year civil war between the North and South.

Fears have been expressed that the vote may be delayed owing to unclear boundary demarcation and logistics related to voter registration.

Ethuro’s Motion reads: "That, recognising the critical role by the Government of Kenya as Chair of Igad and a party of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for the Sudan peace and noting that the CPA has specific protocols towards a referendum on January 9, 2011; further aware that Parliament passed a resolution to become a member of the Amani Forum whose vision is a region free of conflict, this House urges the Government to do all in its power to ensure there is a peaceful referendum scheduled for January 9, 20111 be held on the stated date and calls upon all parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to respect the outcome of the referendum."

At the same time, Bura MP Abdi Nuh wants the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to justify the visit of Kenyan MPs to Southern Sudan.