East African Union Convenes in Khartoum, Urges Leaders to Address Challenges Facing the Continent

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(Free-Press-Release.com) January 10, 2012 -- Khartoum – African countries are required to line against foreign forces targeting the continent, said Secretary-General of Trade Union Federation of Eastern Africa (TUFEA) on Monday, pointing out that trade union action has managed to overcome political and geographical barriers to reinforce public freedoms and social stability.

Addressing the high-level meeting of TUFEA, Chairman of Sudanese Trade Union Ibrahim Ghandour said that the meeting coincides with considerable changes topped by the secession of South Sudan, adding that South Sudan has applied for joining TUFEA. However, particular circumstances delayed their presence current meeting. "We are looking to support our relations with South Sudan within the African context, said Ghandour confirming commitment to peaceful co-existence and good relations with South Sudan.
Further, Ghandour stressed tangible impact of Arab Spring upon the region, pointing out that laborers have contributed effectively to success of popular revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, marking pioneer role played by trade union movement in boosting justice, democracy and good governance.
For his side, Labor Minister Farah Mustafa lauded the stance adopted by TUEFEA towards Darfur issue in international forums. He further explained great development of social insurance in Sudan, marking micro-finance as the key project upgrading social insurance allover the country.

"This Conference is taking place at a critical time in our region, where we are experiencing very serious challenges due to wide-spread conflicts. As the most representative sector of civil society, we believe we have a right and an obligation to be engaged in finding long term solutions to these conflicts," said Secretary-General of TUFAE Hassan A. Sunmonu. He called on African trade unions to be the first line against corruption, warning African leaders not to surrender to conditions imposed by international organizations such as International Labor Organization (ILO), World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF), marking the role played by TUFEA in addressing Darfur issue reasonably, expressing Kenyan trade unions' rejection to implementation of the arrest warrant issued by a Kenyan court against President Omar al Bashir.
The Transitional Darfur Regional Authority (TDRA) Chairman, Dr. Al-Tijani Al-Sisi met with the participating delegations and briefed them on the Doha talks and the signing of the peace agreement.
For his part, Prof. Ibrahim Ghandour said that Al-Sisi affirmed to the delegations that the concerned parties started the implementation of Darfur peace agreement which represents the ultimate solution for the Darfur issue.
Ghandour told Sudan Vision that Dr. Al-Sisi said that the peace course is too long and what is achieved is part of it.

Al-Sisi gave details on the articles of the agreement and the efforts exerted to implement it on the ground.

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