Kenya calls on Sudanese parties to respect peace accord

Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir arrived in Kenya on Tuesday and has since held meetings with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

From China View, 29 October 2009:
Kenya calls on Sudanese parties to respect peace accord

NAIROBI, Oct. 29, 2009 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Thursday called on the people of Sudan to respect the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which was inked in Nairobi in January 2005, ahead of their country's elections.

Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka also urged the Sudanese to always give priority to matters pertaining to the CPA if they have to overcome the challenges facing them and realize lasting peace.

"Reality is almost coming to Sudan because of the CPA. I am sure people of Sudan are working hard towards rebuilding their nation," Musyoka told journalists in Nairobi after holding talks with visiting southern Sudan President Salva Kiir.

He said Kenya will continue to facilitate and give the necessary impetus to the process, noting that a peaceful and prosperous Sudan is great importance for Kenya.

The CPA is a set of agreements signed in January 2005 between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLA) and the government of Sudan.

The agreement was meant to end the second Sudanese civil war, develop democratic governance countrywide and share resources.

He hailed the cordial relations between southern Sudan and Kenya and assured that the two sides would continue working together to strengthen the bilateral ties in several fields.

Kiir, who is also the first vice president of Sudan, thanked the government of Kenya for the role it is playing in the search for peace and stability in Sudan.

"The government of Kenya has made the investment for peace through Inter-Governmental Authority Development (IGAD) not only for the people of Sudan but the whole of Africa," Kiir said.

The southern Sudanese leader said his country was facing many challenges, especially now that it was heading for elections.

Kiir praised Musyoka for having worked tirelessly as mediator towards peace in Sudan, especially when he was the foreign affairs minister and assured him that they will do everything possible to protect CPA.

The southern Sudanese leader arrived on Tuesday and has since held meetings with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

During his meeting with Kiir on Wednesday, Odinga stressed that the government was committed to upholding good relations with neighboring countries to ensure that peace co-existence prevailed in the region.

He reiterated on the government's determination to see the implementation of the Kenyan brokered peace pact between southern Sudan and the government of Sudan.

"Kenya as the principle Guarantor to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) wants to see the implementation of the accord to the letter as the African Union and UN seeks amicable solution to the Darfur conflict," Odinga said.

During the meeting, Kiir said the Sudanese people wanted to foster harmonious coexistence with their neighbors to promote bilateral ties in the region.

He told the press conference that the amicable resolution to the cross-border conflicts between communities could only be realized when affected countries conducted a regional disarmament exercise.

Editor: Deng Shasha

Kenya: Country steps up security at Sudan border

It was reported at the weekend that 16 Kenya Army personnel were killed by the Toposa raiders at the Nadapal Barracks on the Kenya-Sudan border.

Nadapal has remained a contested area, with both countries claiming it. This has triggered frequent clashes.

Source: The Nation (Kenya) October 19, 2009 - via afrika.no -
Kenya: Country steps up security at Sudan border

Nairobi (Kenya) — Kenya has stepped up security near its border with Sudan after reports of clashes between police and Toposa pastoralists.

The General Service Unit, Administration Police and regular police are said to have engaged a combined force of Toposa militia for the second day running on Sunday.

The fighting is reported to have taken place at Nadapal, five kilometres inside Kenya. Some Kenya Army personnel are also said to be on the ground to give backing in case they are issued with orders.

Scores of people have fled Nadapal area towards Lokichogio, some 25 kilometres away following the fight which began on Thursday.

The Kenyan security team, led by Lokitang police boss Ngonya Waigonya and Turkana West district officer Eric Wanyonyi, has denied claims that 16 Kenyan soldiers had been shot dead by the Toposa militiamen.

Mr Waigonya said the Kenya security forces have been involved in an operation to flush out criminals along the Nadapal-Lokichogio highway who have been terrorising motorists and local residents.

"There were exchange of fire between our security forces and the Toposa militia but no fatalities were reported on our side" said Mr Waigonya.

It was reported at the weekend that 16 Kenya Army personnel were killed by the Toposa raiders at the Nadapal Barracks on the Kenya-Sudan border.

Nadapal has remained a contested area, with both countries claiming it. This has triggered frequent clashes.

According to Riam Riam peace network coordinator Joseph Elim, the Toposa established an army barracks near the Nadapal border point in order to give them full access to grass and water on the Kenyan side.

He said more than 10 people had been killed and more than 11,000 animals stolen in the last two months following attacks by Toposa raiders.