MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE PRESIDENT ELECT FROM

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001628 DEPT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-OS, AF A/S FRAZER, AF/SPG, SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SU SUBJECT: MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE PRESIDENT ELECT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTHERN SUDAN REF: STATE 118192 ¶1. Post has received a letter of congratulations (text in para. 2) for President-elect Obama from General Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice-President of Sudan and the President of the Government of Southern Sudan. A copy of the original letter is being transmitted to the Department via pouch. ¶2. Begin Text: 4th November 2008 To: Senator Barack Obama President-Elect of the United States of America Washington DC, USA From: General Salva Kiir Maryardit First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Juba, Sudan Re: Congratulatory Message It is with great honor and deep admiration that I offer you congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Southern Sudan, on your historic election to become the 44th President of the United States of America. We have watched your campaign and election with awe and inspiration. To people of Southern Sudan who are still struggling to heal the scars and wounds of civil war and remedy the injustice of oppression and marginalization, your message of change carries a special resonance of hope in Sudan. With your election, the people of the United States of America have also shown us the pride and strength that comes in the celebration of her diversity. The aspirations of people of Southern Sudan remain blighted by the tragedies of war and poverty, and the legacy of a system that does not treat all citizens as equal. We have a vision of bringing a real change to Sudan to become a country where citizens regardless of their religion and ethnicity will have opportunity to contribute to making Sudan a better place for all. This vision is enshrined in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement through a democratic transformation: that democratic institutions are the foundations of a just society; that free elections have the power to bring a real change in the country; and that all citizens should have a stake in charting the future course of Sudan. We are invigorated by your message and further hope that through our continued partnership, we will be able to fully implement the CPA and to bring a lasting peace to Darfur, the region and the whole world at large. I will avail myself to work closely with you as one of your strategic allies. I wish you good health and success with the guidance of Almighty God. FERNANDEZ