Norway to lead commission to monitor peace agreement in Sudan

Ambassador Tom Vraalsen has been appointed to lead the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) on behalf of Norway. The international commission is to monitor the implementation of the peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and will thus be a key element in the process.

“The AEC will play a very important part in the follow-up of the peace agreement,” said International Development Minister Erik Solheim. “I am delighted that Norway has been chosen to lead the commission, represented by Ambassador Tom Vraalsen. I am looking forward to discussing the commission’s tasks during my talks with the authorities in Khartoum next week, when I will also be emphasising that Norway will continue to be deeply involved in the peace process in Sudan.”

The commission was established by decree by Sudan’s President Omar Hassan Ahmad El-Bashir on 30 October. In addition to its leader Ambassador Vraalsen, the members of the commission will be from Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and the UK. The UN, the EU, the AU and the Arab League have observer status.

The AEC’s mandate has been set out in the peace agreement, which was signed on 9 January this year. It is a broad mandate to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the peace agreement. The commission will, among other things, submit regular reports and provide advice to the Sudanese presidency. It will also monitor whether the international community honours its pledges of support for the implementation of the peace agreement. The term of the mandate is for the interim period of six years leading up to the referendum to determine whether South Sudan is to remain part of Sudan.

Press contact: Deputy Director General Ola Brevik, tel. 916 94 433