By Cathleen Twardzik

Congressman Michael Capuano’s bipartisan resolution to support peace in Sudan passed the House recently.

The resolution sought full implementation of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and steered attention to the importance of imminent referenda, according to a press release.

“There is strong support for the people of Sudan,” said Congressman Capuano, Co-founder and Co-chair of the Sudan Caucus.

“There has been unimaginable violence, suffering and destruction in Sudan. A fragile peace exists, but so much could derail the incremental progress that has been made. The CPA is a vital component of stabilizing Sudan, and we must be fully engaged in seeking its full implementation,” he said.

Importantly, the peace agreement terminated over 20 years of civil war in Sudan, which transpired between the North and the South. The conflict was encouraged by northern persecution of groups in the South – the result of which brought about the death of greater than two million people, as well as the displacement of over four million additional people in southern Sudan.

The agreement, which was signed in 2005, mandates that several actions must ensue in the months ahead – including a referendum in southern Sudan, regarding whether to remain united with the North or to declare independence, as well as an additional referendum in the key border region of Abyei, about whether to adjoin with the South.

“A vote in favor of unity would mean that the people of Sudan continue to live in one country, which is governed by a Government of National Unity in Khartoum.  While most observers consider this the less likely outcome, it would mean that voters chose to remain one country – one people – and work towards greater integration of all elements of society,” said Capuano.

Conversely, “The more likely scenario is that voters in the South will vote for secession, and southern Sudan will form its own nation.  This comes with a significant set of complications – not [the] least of which is starting a new country from scratch,” he said.

However, considerable international assistance will prove essential to ensuring that those measures are performed on schedule, and in a fair and free manner to the inhabitants of Sudan, supporters of the measure say.

Moreover, the country must confront copious challenges, as it struggles to emerge as a democracy – after having endured decades of civil war.  The conflict and violence in Darfur still rage, at the same time as the international community hopes to bolster peace talks.

The lack of border demarcation between the North and the South has caused many people to fear that renewed conflict will emerge in the wake of the referenda.  The elections in 2010 revealed a plethora of problems with voter registration and polling processes.  Therefore, it is imperative that all of those issues are rectified, prior to the next vote – which is slated for January 9, 2011.

“The United States has served as a guarantor of the [peace agreement] – helping negotiate the agreement and facilitate its implementation. We have invested considerable time and resources [to help] the people of Sudan, and we must ensure that this level of commitment is upheld, as the CPA comes to a close, and Sudan moves forward – as either one unified state or two neighbors. Now is the time to refocus attention on Sudan,” said Capuano.