June 23, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government formally submitted to the European Union (EU) a notification of withdrawal from the amendments made to the Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP)-European Union (EU) Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CA) signed in 2005.
Sudan’s official news agency (SUNA) reported that the deputy ambassador to the EU Hamdi Hasab Al-Rasoul met with the Director of the executive office of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Al-Rasoul delivered a message from Sudanese foreign minister Deng Alor informing the EU of its decision to withdraw from the amendments introduced to the CA in 25 June 2005.
The Sudanese official said that his country does not want to be part of the changes and the government has no legal obligations with regard to what it signed in 2005.
He further indicated that the decision was motivated by a stipulation to CA member nations to take steps towards ratifying the Rome Statute which is the founding text of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Last March the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir over allegations of masterminding war crimes in the Western region of Darfur.
The UN Security Council referred the Darfur case to the ICC for investigation in March 2005 under a Chapter VII resolution since Sudan is not a member of the ICC.
Al-Rasoul added that Sudan has reservations over provisions in the amendments related to combating HIV through safe sex practices and birth control.
The Cotonou treaty in its original format aims at the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty while contributing to sustainable development and to the gradual integration of ACP countries into the world economy.
However, the revised Agreement incorporates the fight against impunity and promotion of criminal justice through the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The parties shall seek to take steps towards ratifying and implementing the Rome Statute and related instruments,” the agreement reads.
As a result of the withdrawal Sudan may be denied access to approximately 300 million euro effective immediately.
A large portion of the funds was allocated to support the semi-autonomous Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
GoSS is currently under financial duress due to the sharp drop in oil prices and has urged international community to cover the revenue shortfall which mostly goes to salaries and compensation of civil servants.
(ST)
حركة العدل و المساواة السودانية
موقع متخصص بنقل آخر الأخبار و البيانات و القرارات لحركة العدل و المساواة السودانية