Obama Renews Sudan Sanctions
Washington, United States
US President Barack Obama has extended the existing sanctions against the Sudanese government following slowed efforts in resolving disputes and implementation of the peace agreement.
In a letter sent to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, Obama termed his decision to maintain sanctions against Sudan as a response to threats posed by the Sudanese government due to its actions and policies.
“I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to Sudan and maintain in force sanctions against Sudan to respond to this threat.”, read the statement.
The sanctions which were declared in October 2006 were supposed to end on November 3, this year but will continue due to the unresolved issues. The measures restrict trade and investment in Sudan and block assets of the Sudanese government and concerned officials.
White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said the US will review the progress by Sudanese government on resolving outstanding peace implementation issues as well as improving security and humanitarian access in troubled Darfur region.
He also added that the US is ready to work with Sudan’s government if it acts to improve the situation on the ground and advance peace.
The south’s referendum on independence which is less than ten weeks away was part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended over two decades of north-south civil conflict where two million people died and thousands displaced.
Natives in the oil-rich south are expected to vote in a referendum come January 9 on whether to secede and become independent. The Khartoum government has been blamed for trying to interfere with the vote, actions viewed to place constrain on the country’s peace process.
Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya’s Truth Commission Head Steps Aside
Kenya’s Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) chairman Bethuel Kiplagat has stepped aside from his post to pave way for investigations on his conduct.
Mr. Kiplagat said on Tuesday in a media conference that he was stepping aside from his responsibility to allow the formed tribunal to investigate accusations levelled against him.
Kiplagat denies allegations of his complicity in rights abuses during former President Daniel Arap Moi’s reign. The country’s chief Justice Evan Gicheru last Friday, appointed a five-member tribunal to probe allegations of Kiplagat’s past conduct petitioned by fellow commissioners on his credibility to head the commission.
The TJRC was set up as part of the power-sharing agreement in 2008 between two principles President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga following a mediation process by prominent African leaders.
The TJRC was established to lead the inquiry into human rights abuses and other historical injustices in Kenya since independence up to present. Its mandate is expected to end in November 2011 where it’s expected to compile a report with detailed findings and recommendations.
Over 1300 people died and thousands others were internally displaced in post-poll clashes following disputed December 2007 presidential polls that led to widespread violence throughout the country.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to separately prosecute major perpetrators of the violence upon concluding its ongoing investigations in the country.
Kiplagat’s resignation has been greatly hailed by fellow commissioners who said that his move will enable the commission to proceed with its mandate at a much faster pace within the timeline.
The Parliamentary Justice and Legal Affairs Committee last week had given the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission 72 hours to sort out the credibility challenges facing it or risk being disbanded.