The ceremony was attended by President Omar Hassan Ahmed Al Bashir of Sudan, President Idriss Deby of Chad, President Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, and Prime Minister of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn.

The ceremony was also attended by HE Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, and Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil Al Arabi, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, representative of the African Union and the United Nations for Darfur Ibrahim Gambari, as well as representatives from Arab, regional and international organizations as well as members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Qatar.

The ceremony began with a recitation of versus from the Holy Quran. Then, HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani gave a speech where he expressed his satisfaction at the signing of the peace accord by the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement which was based on the Doha document.

HH the Emir described the Doha Document for Peace as a blessed beginning to establishing peace in Darfur. HH the Emir considered the signing of the accord as an honest invitation to all rebel groups to avoid conflict and contribute to making and ensuring peace.

HH added that the time has come for Darfur and its people to have stability after a long period of suffering, and that they become able to return to their homes and their normal lives with availability of the basic components of a decent life.

HH the Emir stressed on the State of Qatar’s keenness to coordinate with its regional and international partners to see the people of Darfur and Sudan enjoy security and stability, as they are the two conditions for development and stability.

His Highness added that all effort will be exerted in order to achieve that, at the same time the Emir called on everyone to make the interests of the people of Darfur in particular and of Sudan in general a top priority. The Emir appealed to everyone to start making real peace that signifies their devotions to their countries and putting the nation’s interest above all else.

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said at this stage of the history of our region the voice of people are rising to ensure for themselves their interest, adding that it is better for the politicians to listen and respond to them early. His Highness added that people in our region said they want justice and freedom but they did not say they want the terrible civil conflicts. These conflicts must be abandoned.

His Highness at the end of his speech thanked all of those who contributed to this achievement. In particular, HH the Emir extended his thanks to the Government of the Republic of Sudan, and the parties involved in peace negotiations, and the UN mission, and the AU, and the Arab-African Ministerial Committee, and international partners. He also extended his thanks to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso Djibril Bassole, who served as the joint mediator of the African Union and the United Nations for his patience, perseverance and sincere efforts.

His Highness also thanked HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud for his concerted and constant efforts that contributed to this achievement.

And then HH the Emir and their excellences the presidents witnessed the signing of the agreement.

The agreement was signed for the Sudanese government by Advisor to Sudan’s President Ghazi Salah El Din, while for the Liberation and Justice Movement by the head of the movement El-Tijani El-Sisi Mohammad Ateem. For the State of Qatar it was signed by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud. Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso Djibril Bassole signed the agreement along with Chairperson of the African Union Commission as Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur Ibrahim Gambari.

(QNA)

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In a meeting at the State Palace, the two leaders held discussion focusing on bilateral relations, enhancing mutual cooperation and regional as well as international issues of mutual interest.

In briefings they gave to local and international media outlets following the meeting, Presidents Isaias and Omar Al-Beshir pointed out that their discussion was a continuation of the regular consultations and exchanging of views between the two countries and leaders.

Noting the historical Eritrean-Sudanese ties, President Omar Al-Beshir elaborated that the two leaders reached understanding to deepen the long-standing bilateral relations and cooperation, in addition to conducting exchange of views on the objective situation and developments in the region in general and Sudan in particular.

The Sudanese President further explained that in view of the exemplary relations between Eritrea and Sudan, both leaders exchanged information regarding the very sensitive stage Sudan is currently undergoing and other regional issues. President Omar Al-Beshir also indicated that the two leaders reached understanding on the need for joint work programs.

President Isaias on his part underlined that though there exists mutual political will on both sides to reinforce bilateral cooperation in line with the prevailing Eritrea-Sudanese strategic ties, the work accomplished over the past five years is not that satisfactory. Such effort should be stepped up in the future, he added.

President Omar Al-Beshir left for home in the afternoon hours concluding his working visit.

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In the message, President Afwerki affirmed Eritrea’s support to the peace and stability efforts in Sudan

The message was handed over by the Eritrean Foreign Minister, Osman Salih Muhamed, Thursday at the Republican Palace

–SUNA

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In a statement to SUNA, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Muawiya Osman Khalid, said that the visit of the Eritrean delegation comes in the context of the distinguished relations between Sudan and Eritrea He said that the Eritrean delegation will hold talks with a number of senior officials on issues of mutual concern, especially the peace efforts in Sudan , the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and situation in Darfur on the light of the new government strategy for Darfur issue. He indicated that the two parties will also discuss coordination of stances of the two countries during the meetings of the UN General Assembly in New York, which are scheduled to begin in the third week of current September.

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Musa affirmed in a statement to SUNA after the meeting the important role being played by Eritrea as a mediator of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement. Musa said that the meeting reviewed outcome of the elections in Sudan as well as Eritrea’s contribution to the unity of Sudan and the plans for the coming period

He said that the meeting touched on the progress of the relations between Sudan and Eritrea and means of consolidating them further.

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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.

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Water and irrigation ministers from seven up-river African nations said they hope to finalise negotiations on the Co-operative Framework Agreement next month, with or without agreement from down-river nations Egypt and Sudan.

The plans follow failed negotiations last week in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, between the nine countries of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), a World Bank-funded programme that seeks to establish a diplomatic protocol for evaluating the fair use of the river for agricultural and energy projects.

The impasse between up-river and down-river countries has led to more than a decade of delays in forming the framework agreement, which supporters say could become an example of international co-operation for the fair use of water resources in the impoverished and conflict-prone region of north-eastern Africa.

A spokesman for the Ethiopian government accused Egypt on Tuesday of “delaying” negotiations, according to the Bloomberg news agency.

But Egypt, which is where the river flows into the Mediterranean, and Sudan say such an agreement could threaten their “historical rights” to secure sources of water. Their position downstream renders them particularly vulnerable to changes in water availability caused by up-river development projects, they said.

Egyptian water officials said if up-river nations exclude them from the agreement, it could spell the end of negotiations on equitable water-sharing for the entire river basin.

“Egypt’s share of the Nile’s water is a historic right that Egypt has defended throughout its history,” said Mohammed Allam, Egypt’s minister of water resources and irrigation, to a parliamentary session on Monday, according to Agence France-Presse. “If the Nile basin countries unilaterally signed the agreement it would be considered the announcement of the Nile Basin Initiative’s death.”

Egypt and Sudan’s historical claims to the Nile’s water stem from two past treaties that did not include signatures from the other Nile basin states. The latest treaty, which was signed between Egypt and Sudan in 1959, gave the Egyptian government rights over 55.5 billion cubic metres of water annually out of the 84 billion cubic metres that reach Egypt’s High Aswan Dam each year.

Although all of the countries have agreed on most of the terms of the framework, Egypt and Sudan have insisted that the agreement should include guarantees of the “historical rights” to which upper riparian states were never a party.

“We are not party to that agreement and we don’t recognise it,” said Teferra Beyene, the head of trans-boundary river affairs for Ethiopia’s ministry of water resources, of the 1959 treaty between Egypt and Sudan. “We don’t know of such a thing called historical rights. After all this is going to be a new covenant, a new agreement among the riparian countries.”

Egyptian diplomats urged negotiators to proceed directly towards the formation of a Nile River Basin Commission instead of first negotiating the terms of the framework agreement. The commission would act as a deliberative body and would make its decisions by a consensus of all the riparian states.

Egyptian officials say that unlike upper riparian states such as Ethiopia, whose rainy highlands provide an estimated 85 per cent of the Nile’s waters, projects on the Egyptian section of the river have no impact on countries further downstream.

“Our Egyptian water comes from the geography of the river and they can’t control that,” said Abd el Ati el Shafei, the chairman of the Nile Guards and Environment Protection Association.

Mr el Shafei said the Nile water that reaches Egypt only constitutes around five per cent of the Nile River’s total reserves of 1,600 billion cubic metres. And with its large and growing population that dwarfs those of other Nile Basin states, with the exception of Ethiopia, Egypt’s need for water security is particularly acute. “They don’t need the water that runs into Egypt and we didn’t take it from them by force,” Mr el Shafei said.

But as the countries of the Nile basin bicker over who is responsible for the stalled negotiations, the impasse continues to delay the creation of a permanent body that might arbitrate such disputes. Hani Raslan, the director of the Sudan and Nile basin studies programme at the semi-official Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, said he does not expect any serious decisions on a co-operative agreement within the next 20 years.

“These countries are small and fragile, they have many crises, and they act with Egypt like maybe they think they are superpowers,” Mr Raslan said. “That is not real. Egypt must have the right to do anything to protect its people.”

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The expansion was announced at a signing ceremony for the new land purchase at Qatari Diar’s Lusail headquarters in Doha today, presided by Eng. Mohammed bin Ali Al Hedfa, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatari Diar, and a representative from the Sudanese government, HE Mohammed Abdul Wahab Othman, Minister of Planning and Urban Development.

Eng. Mohammed bin Ali Al Hedfa, Group CEO of Qatari Diar, commented on the announcement:

“The expansion of our Mushaireb development in Sudan reflects Qatari Diar’s deep commitment to establishing the best possible mixed-use real estate development, with an emphasis on sustainable development, for the people of Sudan. We see strong potential for the country’s long-term growth, and we are proud to be helping to improve the business, tourist, and residential opportunities and infrastructure in Sudan. Through our expansion of Mushaireb will be creating a unique environment where Sudanese heritage meets modern luxury. We look forward to continuing progress as our work on the site continues.”

In November of 2009, Qatari Diar unveiled revised master plans for Mushaireb at a press conference in Khartoum, and construction work on Phase-1 of Mushaireb began in 2009. The development has already proven to be a desirable location for investors seeking prime real estate in the heart of Khartoum.

Mushaireb will be one of Khartoum’s most distinguished developments, offering a new distinct luxurious integrated facility that will elevate the level of future Khartoum real estate projects.

This mixed-use development is situated on a prime location in downtown Khartoum with views along the Nile, conveniently just 20 minutes from Khartoum’s airport.

Mushaireb will mix traditional architecture within an urban landscape, and will include a 5-star hotel, 8 residential and retail towers, and office space. As part of the project, Qatari Diar will also undertake a redevelopment of the majestic waterfront corniche area along the Nile into a family-friendly entertainment area.

HE the Minister of Planning and Urban Development, Eng. Mohammed Abdul Wahab Othman stated: “This announcement represents the strong bond between the people of Sudan and Qatar. Mushaireb is an exciting and prestigious project that will revitalize downtown Khartoum and provide vibrant new business, residential, tourist, and commercial opportunities to the city. We look forward to continuing to find new ways to work with Qatari Diar and the Qatar people in all avenues to encourage the prosperous development of Sudan.”

Launched in 2004, Qatari Diar is wholly-owned by the Qatar Investment Authority and currently has more than 35 real estate development projects active in more than 20 countries around the world. Qatari Diar’s unique vision of sustainable development places community and local traditions at the forefront. It creates distinguished property developments with local culture and lifestyle experience to attract tourism and residents generating sustainable and tangible socio-economic benefits.

About Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company:

Wholly owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company was established in December 2004 to support Qatar’s growing economy and to co-ordinate the country’s real estate development priorities. Qatari Diar is currently involved in more than 35 projects in more than 20 countries around the world, including Qatar, Morocco, France, Oman, Egypt, Djibouti, and Eritrea.

Qatari Diar is becoming established as one of the world’s most trusted and respected real estate companies because of its commitment to quality, local community, partnership and hallmark sustainability.

Qatari Diar’s hallmark vision of sustainable development places community and local traditions at the forefront. The Company aims to create and manage property investments and developments which not only comply with the best international standards, but which also strongly reflect local culture and values. As a result, Qatari Diar’s projects deliver a distinctive and sustainable social, economic and environmental benefit to the community. In addition, Qatari Diar often enables local and international developers and investors to partner in its projects, and to work together in exploring other opportunities, both locally and internationally.

For further information, kindly contact:

John Watts – Brown Lloyd James

+974 687 6682

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The SRSG was in the south to orient himself with the humanitarian and security situation, progress on preparations for upcoming elections and the work of UNMIS as well as other UN agencies in Southern Sudan.

Mr. Menkerios was making his first visit to the region since he assumed duties as UN special envoy to Sudan in March.

Accompanied by UNMIS Regional Coordinator for Southern Sudan David Gressly, the SRSG met with Government of Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba, before departing for Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Warrap, Unity, and Upper Nile states.

In a meeting with Lieut. Gen. Salva Mathok, Warrap State caretaker governor during the election period, in the capital Kuajok, Mr. Menkerios said he was there to learn about challenges the state was facing and see areas UNMIS could support.

Noting that his state was one of the least developed in Southern Sudan, Lt. Gen. Mathok said it had been plagued by tribal clashes, food insecurity caused by drought, cattle raiding and a shortage of police.

Pointing to seasonal Dinka-Messeriya conflicts involving grazing and watering points, SRSG Menkerios urged the governors of Warrap and Unity to seek peaceful means of resolving tribal friction, rather than resorting to violence.

As part of its mandate, UNMIS was keen to assist in capacity building of local institutions, so that services needed by the community could be delivered, the SRSG said.

While in Kuajok, Mr. Menkerios also visited the police training centre and met with UN police advisors, who are currently training local law enforcers there, and the recently established Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) office, before departing for Western Bahr El-Ghazal State.

Speaking to staff in Western Bahr El-Ghazal’s capital Wau, the SRSG said UNMIS would continue to assist the Sudanese in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. He encouraged staff members to continue their commitment to fulfil the mission’s mandate in Sudan.

“Your contributions have an enormous impact on the future of the country,” Mr. Menkerios said.

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Haile Menkerios

The new head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sudan (UNMIS) reiterated today his call for the national elections to be carried out next month as scheduled, but stressed that any decision to delay should be made entirely by Government officials and the electoral institution.

“Elections need to take place according to timelines subscribed by the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement], and they have to be conducted in a conducive atmosphere to ensure a free and fair process,” said Haile Menkerios today in Khartoum, in his first press conference since becoming the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and head of UNMIS.

“The CPA, however, is an agreement by the two Parties. And should the two Parties decide whether to have the elections on time or should they want to postpone them for a time, it is up to them,” the Special Representative added.

He also told reporters that it was his understanding that the presidency would meet on Tuesday to review a request by political parties for postponement of the elections currently scheduled to take place from 11 to 13 April.

The national elections, the first of their kind in 24 years, are seen as a benchmark in the implementation of the peace agreement, which was signed in 2005 to end the long-running north-south civil war in Sudan.

Voters will be able to choose a national president, a southern president, local and national assemblies, and governors.

The next major benchmark in implementation of the CPA would be a referendum next year on southern secession.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Menkerios stressed that the elections are a Sudanese process led by the governments and the National Elections Commission (NEC), with the UN providing only technical assistance and limited logistical support – as mandated by the Security Council – to the authorities staging the ballot.

“The election in all its aspects is a totally nationally owned process,” he said.

UNMIS, in cooperation with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and donors, has provided technical assistance in voter registration through its Electoral Assistance Division, and advice on operational planning.

The UN mission has also been involved in intensive election security training, instructing almost 24,000 police officers, close to 17,000 in the north and over 7,000 in the south.

“While the responsibility to provide security during elections lies with the Governments of National Unity, and the Government of Southern Sudan in its area, our peacekeeping forces will also assist in enhancing security in areas where threats of armed confrontation may exist,” Mr. Menkerios said.

Mr. Menkerios also stressed that the UN does not have a monitoring role in the elections. That role will be filled by various independent observer groups, both international and national, accredited by the NEC that will perform monitoring functions and report accordingly.

When asked what he thought of the decision to print electoral ballots at the National Printing Press in Khartoum, which is being criticized by some opposition activists, Mr. Menkerios said that decision rests solely with the NEC.

As well as UNMIS, the UN is involved in another peacekeeping operation in the country. (UNAMID) is a joint operation with the African Union in Darfur, the western region of Sudan.

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Oil Rig

Saudi state-owned Aramco has been administering a tender for a seismic survey of Saudi territorial waters in the Red Sea. Industry sources said European companies have submitted bids to survey 14,000 square kilometers in a project worth up to $200 million.

Some of the bidders were identified as Norway’s Petroleum Geo-Services, the Netherlands’s Fugro and Britain’s WesternGeco. Aramco has been preparing to begin drilling for energy reserves in the Red Sea in 2012.

The sources said Aramco has deemed the Red Sea the next major source for crude oil and natural gas for the Saudi kingdom. Saudi Arabia has reached a capacity to produce 12.5 million barrels of oil per day.

Exploration activities are taking place across the red sea region. Sudan has recently started drilling its first overseas offshore exploration well in the Red Sea Basin off Sudan with the help of the state China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

The well falls in Area 15 under the franchise of the Red Sea Petroleum Operating Co., a consortium of five firms including the CNPC, Malaysia’s state oil firm Petronas, Sudan’s state oil firm Sudapet, Nigeria’s Express Petroleum and Sudanese firm High Tech Group. Petronas and CNPC each have a 35 percent interest in the block 15.

According to the Sudanese minister of Energy and Mining the results from prospecting for oil and gas in the Red Sea are positive.

Tokar-1 is one of two exploration wells in Block 15, located some 130 kilometers southeast of Port Sudan. The CNPC and its partners plan to complete drilling in six months. The wells have a designed drilling depth of 3,700 meters, and water depths of 38 meters and 52 meters respectively.

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The briefing was given when the Director of the Emergency and Operations Department of Khartoum State Police, General Al-Tayeb Babiker, met here Monday with the EU delegation. He briefed the delegation on the election security plans for all the candidates and political organizations.

The head of the delegation said that their views concentrated on the technical requirements for the elections process, indicating that they would not interfere in the elections.

In mid-March the European Commission announced that Véronique de Keyser, Member of the European Parliament, will lead 130 EU observers to assess pre-election preparations and campaign all over Sudan, voting, counting and tabulation of the results of the Election Days, as well as the post-election period.

To do so a first Team of experts arrived in the country at the end of February. The experts will soon be joined by a first wave of Long Term Observers (LTOs) and a second wave of Short Term Observers (STOs). In addition, the mission will be reinforced by a delegation of Members of the European Parliament for the election period.

The EU EOM does not present partial conclusions on Election-Day but comprehensive recommendations, based on exhaustive facts and information, once the entire process is over.

Therefore, the mission will stay in the country after the elections in order to present its first conclusions once the post election period is closed. The EU EOM is the largest international observer group in Sudan for these elections. The EU also contributed financially to their preparation.

Following the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005, an amount of €500m was provided by the EU in development aid in addition to €640m in humanitarian aid since 2003.

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