Sudan’s SPLM-N meet with Swiss government

A delegation of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) has met with representatives of the Swiss Government “to discuss a child protection programme, sign a total anti-personnel mine ban with advocacy group Geneva Call, and arrange to release prisoners of war to the International Red Cross”. In a press statement, SPLM-N Secretary General, Yasir Arman, on Monday confirmed that on the Friday 30 August, the SPLM-N delegation, including Deputy Chairperson, Abdel Aziz Adam Al Hilu and himself, met in the Swiss Foreign Ministry in Bern: “The delegation met with the various departments that are concerned with humanitarian assistance and peace building, and discussed with them the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. We solicited their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2046 and the peace process under the auspices of the AUHIP and the Chair of IGAD, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and that this process should lead to a holistic approach to address the Sudan issue in its totality, away from any piecemeal solution. “The SPLM-N delegation arrived in Geneva, Switzerland on 28 August and discussed for two days a program of action on child protection and signed a deed of commitment on a total ban of anti-personnel mines and cooperation in mine action with the Geneva Call. “The SPLM-N will destroy its stockpiles of anti-personnel mines captured from the Sudan government. A local NGO will be established in the areas controlled by the SPLM-N to clear the minefields, especially the areas that are needed for agricultural cultivation and the free movement of the civilian population, as well as assisting the victims of anti-personnel mines. The SPLM-N will also form a commission on child protection.” The statement further says that on 31 August, the delegation met with the International Red Cross in Geneva, discussed the humanitarian situation, and initiated a process for the SPLM-N to release the prisoners of war in its custody. It highlights that “the SPLM-N leadership council is going to be convened soon. The meeting will discuss the current political situation in Sudan and other administrative and organisational issues of the movement as well as the Sudan Revolutionary Front. It will be dedicated to the issues of human rights and to increase the commitment of the SPLM-N to international humanitarian law during the time of war, especially the issues of protection of civilians, children, and women in the liberated areas, and the overall humanitarian and human rights situation in Sudan.” In his statement, Secretary General Arman concludes that “the SPLM-Sudan very much welcomes the UN Security Council’s August 23rd Presidential Statement on the urgency of the humanitarian situation in these Two Areas.” He adds that his movement “would like to reaffirm its commitment to an immediate humanitarian cessation of hostilities and to implement a vaccination campaign program for the children in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile”. Blue Nile war In a separate statement on Monday, official SPLM-N spokesman Arnu Ngutulu Lodi drew attention to the second anniversary of the brutal attack on the people of Blue Nile state by forces and militias of National Congress Party (NCP). He used the occasion to reaffirm that “the SPLM-N will remain defending the marginalised peoples and committed to their just causes and work with other democratic political oppositions to remove this corrupt dictatorial regime”. As reported by Radio Dabanga, following heavy fighting between rebel forces of the SPLM-N and government forces and militias in Blue Nile state in September 2011, Khartoum dismissed the state governor, replacing him with a military governor who subsequently declared a State of Emergency. File photo: Bern, capital of Switzerland (Switzerland Tourism) Related: Sudan’s SPLM-N signs mine ban: Geneva Call (1 September 2013) Darfur rebels ‘release five captured SAF medics to Red Cross’ (26 August 2013)