JUBA, Southern Sudan (NSV) - A two-day meeting by all political parties in Southern Sudan culminated in signing of an agreement that will be used as  the code of conduct throughout elections.

The meeting,organized by former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Pierre Buyoya who are part of the African Union's Panel on Sudan, brrought together 17 political parties.

Gathering of Southern political parties in Juba (Photo by AFP)

"My strong message is that to achieve free and fair elections is primarily the responsibility of the political parties, independent candidates and the government," said Pierre Buyoya, a former president of Burundi.

As the April vote nears, plans are being put in place that will ensure peaceful enviroment for the country.

There have been  increasing fears that the politics of elections may trigger violence in a region that is reeling from scars of civil war, tribal conflicts and so the southern political leadership feels it is obliged to right such perception by protecting this first voting-democracy exercise for the region, the first Sudanese multiparty election in 24 years.

"The parties undertake to ensure that the forthcoming elections are free, fair and inclusive," the document read. "The democratic political process must be protected from any form of violence or intimidation."

Dr. Lam Akol of the SPLM-DC was present at the signing. The AU made attempts to reach all those who declared themselves as independents in the hopes that they too will sign the document.

"We call on those who have not signed it to sign it now," GoSS vice president Riek Machar said.

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