from Yona Maro
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization
South-North Sudan Civil Society Organizations
Soft Borders Workshops
Under the Theme: Soft Borders for Peaceful Co-existence
April and May, 2011
Juba-Khartoum
Funded by CPA/ Assessment and Evaluation Commission
For Immediate Release;
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization-CEPO is a civil society organization operating in Southern Sudan. CEPO is registered by the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development, Government of South Sudan and is registered by State Ministry of Social Development Central Equatoria state.
CEPO in collaboration with the Comprehensive Peace agreement Assessment and Evaluation Commission have organized two days south and north Sudan civil society organizations role on soft borders workshop. The workshop was under the theme “soft borders for peaceful co-existence” in Juba from 21st -22nd April, 2011 and .
The workshop brought 34 Sudanese civil society and media and presses houses leaders from both the southern and northern Sudan bordering states to Juba. The workshop witness presentation of brainstorming papers by academia, UNMIS civil affairs regional sector, media and civil society experts from both south and north Sudan
The Immediate Objectives: To organize two days workshops for civil society from south and north Sudan in order to;
To promote the concept of soft borders and come as a tool of peaceful co-existence between south and north
To discuss the role of the civil society in the post referendum negotiations
To influence decision makers views on soft borders
Expected out comes:
Hold a press conference in order to publicize the outcome of the workshop as well as work to influence decision makers
Action plan for civil society engagement in the post-referendum negotiations
Developing an activity list for civil society activities between the time of the event and 9th July, 2011
The workshop recommendations are as follow
For the post-referendum negotiating parties
9th July, 2011 as approaching, is a prime commitment and speedy negotiations for durable borders issues resolutions between the emerging states
Agreements on peaceful mechanisms for demarcating the borders must be reached for settling any future borders disputes
Borders issues discussions must base on the principle of genuine political, social and economic bilateral relations between the two states
There is a need to agree upon a framework for resolving the outstanding CPA issues
For the AUHIP and International community representatives
More pressure without any tolerance upon the post-referendum negotiating parties’ commitment for finalizing agreements over issues on timely manner is paramount before the 9th July, 2011.
IGAD must reconfirm its role and commitment for ensuring a durable peaceful bilateral relation between the two states on the condition of full respect for principles of human rights, rule of law and protection of citizens’ lives and properties
In the case of less time for competition of the post-referendum negotiations agreements, a legal and political framework for continuing the post-referendum unresolved issues must be agree upon
African Union and World Security Council should keep the bilateral peaceful co-existence between the two states in relation to borders as an agenda of serious focus
Security, peace and protection of citizens lives and properties at the borders and elsewhere between the two states must be clearly and strongly with mandatory roles and responsibilities be stipulate in the New United Nation Mission Mandate after the 9th July 2011
World Security Council must ensure that the borders patrolling responsibility is handle by united nation its new mission mandate with full powers for intervening and resolving borders frictions or clashes in best peaceful form
Recognition, acknowledgement and support of the civil society role in promoting soft borders between the two states is necessary
For Civil society and the Media
Peaceful co-existence at the borders must remain as top agendas of advocacy and lobbying for building sisterly states
Promoting peace, human rights and rule of law education among the borders communities for maintaining genuine protective borders co-existence is paramount
Campaign for genuine and non-violent border demarcation under the principle of mutual understanding must be strengthen and maintain as an agenda
Increasing pressure on the post referendum negotiating parties for resolving the issues non-violently in timely manner
Keeping the citizens well informed about the post referendum negotiations agreements and issues unresolved equally under the principle of peace sustainability
Promotion of political and legal accountability in the two states as fragile states in terms of genuine bilateral relation must be a priority
Lobbying for financial and technical support for the civil society role engagement in soft borders and CPA outstanding issues
CEPO is task to initiate a “Civil society working group”-CSWG on soft borders between the two states. Among the mandate of the CSWG is the observation of the borders security and peace
James Hitler
CEPO Communication officer
Tel: +249 128 520 228
+249 957 102 049
+256 477 102 049
+249 900 842114
Skype: hitjames1