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Below are the answers to questions the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) entertains on a regular basis. Please contact us with other questions by e-mail to aecinfo@aec-sudan.org.
Q: Is the AEC an international organization?
A: The AEC is, in fact, an independent institution created under the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005. While all of its funding and some of its staff originate from the international community, the Assessment and Evaluation Commission reports directly to the Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Sudan. For more information, please visit the "About the AEC" page of our website.
Q: What is the legal basis for the AEC?
A: The AEC was established in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Article 2.4 of the Machakos Protocol calls for an Assessment and Evaluation Commission to be established to: "monitor the implementation of the Peace Agreement".
The exact composition, tasks and location of the AEC are determined by the CPA itself, Republican Decrees No. 36 of October 30, 2005, No. 253 (2005), No. 38 (2008) and No. 39 (2008) as well as the Commission’s Rules of Procedure.
Q: How is the AEC composed?
A: The AEC is composed of members and observers and has an executive secretariat. Members are representatives of the two parties (NCP and SPLM), Kenya and Ethiopia (as members states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), as well as representatives of the UK, US, Netherlands, Italy and Norway who witnessed the peace negotiations that led to the signature of the CPA. Observers are representatives of the UN, AU, EU, EC and the Arab League. Fore more information, please visit the "Members and Observers" page of our website.
Q: How is the AEC funded?
A: The AEC is supported by funding from members and other governments.
Q: What are the tasks of the AEC?
A: The AEC does not only monitor the implementation of the CPA but also offers ideas and support for CPA implementation and unity arrangements and advises and encourages the parties in that respect. It brings the parties together on a regular basis with governments from the region and beyond with a longstanding record of support for and experience of the peace process. It advises and encourages the parties. AEC’s monitoring role will grow in importance as the major milestones of the second half of the interim period – elections, popular consultation, the referenda, national reconciliation – approach, and decisions are taken on outstanding issues.
Q: What is AEC’s relationship to international organizations?
A: The AEC is an autonomous body but does cooperate with and gets support from international organizations when needed for the fulfillment of its tasks. Some international organizations, such as the UN, AU, EU, EC and the Arab League, are observers in the Commission. AEC’s role has been noted in international decisions, most recently in UN Security Council Resolution 1812 (2008) stressing the critical role of the AEC in overseeing and reporting on implementation of the CPA, calling for strengthening the Commission’s autonomy and urging the parties to cooperate fully with the AEC and to implement its recommendations.
Q: What is the decision making process of the AEC and what happens if one member disagrees?
A: The decision making process within the Commission is regulated in the Rules of Procedure. As a general rule, the Commission makes every effort to arrive at its decisions by consensus. If consensus, despite such efforts, is not achieved, the matter shall be referred to a select committee for further preparation. If consensus is still not achieved, the Chairperson may decide to proceed with a vote. Each member shall be entitled to one vote.
Q: I'm a member of the interational press. How do I request admission to AEC press conferences?
A: Members of the press wishing to cover AEC press events are not required to register in advance but it is encouraged. AEC events begin promptly at their advertised times, and late admittance is distracting and interruptive. Please arrive early if you have audio-visual equipment to set up, and please be prepared to present your credentials to security.
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