KHARTOUM, April 27 (SUNA) — Sudan’s President Omer Al-Bashir has addressed the Sudanese people following the announcement by the National Elections Commission of his re-election, which was held in accordance with the country’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

In his address to the nation last Thursday, he described the election process as characterized by seriousness, freedom and the commitment to the practice of constitutional rights. The elections were not marred by violence, clashes or confrontations, he noted, stressing that the success of the elections was a victory for all the Sudanese people.

President Al-Bashir asserted his commitment to practise his powers and responsibilities as the president of all the Sudanese nation.

He lauded the role played by the National Elections Commission, and its chairman, Abil Alier, for their patience, persistence, good preparations and efforts to implement one of the most important pillars of the CPA and to hold the large and expensive elections, despite the technical and logistic challenges that faced it, emphasizing that the National Elections Commission had carried out its task with a honesty which was a source of honour all the Sudanese people.

President Al-Bashir thanked the international community for their donation of materials, in kind and administrative support for accomplishment of the historic elections in Sudan which was monitored closely by international and national observers, appreciating the support extended by all the organizations and Sudan fiends world-wide.

President Al-Bashir said that the international media had conducted intensive coverage of the elections in Sudan and was able to be informed about aspects of the election process and to be a witness of its smoothness and lacking to any aspect of violence or undermining of social peace.

He reiterated his commitment to live up to his responsibilities to lead the country with wisdom and to protect its stability and entity. The recent elections provided a good opportunity to all the Sudanese people with their different parties and orientations to express their views and to choose and offer their confidence to their candidates.

President Al-Bashir congratulated the people of his National Congress party who surpassed on of the biggest examinations by winning most of the election constituencies at all levels and obtained the confidence of the majority of the people of Sudan.

He also congratulated all the national political forces who contributed to bolstering the democratic progress in the country. He pointed out that the National Congress will maintain contacts, dialogue and consultations with all forces for establishing a national partnership toward confronting the challenges.

President Al-Bashir affirmed the keenness for holding the referendum on the future of south Sudan in the fixed time, as stipulated by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) as well as completing realization of peace in Darfur in western Sudan.

Sudan-Eritrea

News Agencies NNN-SUNA report that President Omer Al-Bashir of Sudan and the visiting Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, Monday held talks here on a number of issues of mutual concern to the two countries.

The two presidents reviewed means of consolidating relations between Sudan and Eritrea and gave directives for strengthening the co-operation between the Sudanese Red Sea State and Eritrea’s Northern Red Sea Region.

They also gave directives for completing the establishment of the road between Massawa and port-Sudan, giving concern to the establishment of tourism projects and benefiting from the large resources and capabilities at the Red Sea coastal area.

President Al-Bashir briefed the Eritrean president on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the registration for the coming elections and the efforts for a solution of Darfur issue.

Presidents Al-Bashir and Afwerki also reviewed the regional and international issues, especially with regard to the situation in the Horn of Africa sub-region.

On Sunday Sudanese News Agencies reported that President Omer Al-Bashir is going to inaugurate on Monday the Industrial Town and the Strategic Reserve Silos in Port Sudan and that President Isaias Afwerki will attend when President Omer Al-Bashir is intending to plant two palm trees to mark the National Tree Festival and address a mass rally at Al-Bayya Square.

In addition the reports stated that President Omer Al-Bashir will attend a sea carival and show and inaugurate the Third Tourism and Marketing Festival of the Red Sea State.