Sylva Keer, a past separatist, vows Sudan's unity

Leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), Sylva Keer, a past separatist, vowed to preserve Sudan's unity and sovereignty by its decentralized regime and literal implementation of the agreement signed between the Sudanese government and his movement on January 9th.

In a speech following his taking of his constitutional oath as the First Vice President of Sudan and as a prime minister for the government of southern Sudan, Keer stressed his commitment to the peace process and the reconciliation started by President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and his late predecessor John Garang who died two weeks ago.

Keer, 54 years old, who was interrupted by applause and national songs, said that "the best thing we can do for the sake of honoring John Garang is to follow his steps towards peace and reconciliation," noting that great problems still remain to be solved..

The new vice president called on all Sudanese to join the peace process in order to heal the wound of the civil war which left behind some two million dead and the displacement of other millions and lasted for 21 years.

He also called on the journalists not to create rumors damaging the peace process, in reference to the acts of violence which followed the announcement of killing Garang, and resulted in killing 130 persons including 111 ones in al-Khartoum.

For his part the Sudanese President described the day when Keer took the constitutional oath as a day bringing together joy and sadness. Bashir commended the People's Movement (SPLM) which showed solidarity and might following the killing of the late leader, to confirm that the implementation of the peace process will not be affected by the death of any persons.

In a speech during the oath-taking ceremony, Bashir renewed his vow to continue working with Sylva Keer in order to forget the past and build confidence, work to end sufferings and poverty, and ensure availability of services and proper environment for the people.

Keer arrived in the capital Khartoum on Wednesday to take his constitutional oath amid unprecedented security conditions in which soldiers and tanks lined the streets of the capital.