JVP accuses Bauer of playing a vital role in "dividing" Sudan

Norwegian Minister for International Development, Erik Solheim, said Jon Hanssen-Bauer had nothing to do with Sudan.

“He has never been involved with Sudan,” Solheim told BBC Sandeshaya.

The Peoples Liberation Front (JVP) has once again called for ousting of Norway as the facilitator of Sri Lanka’s peace process.

Jon Hanssen-Bauer has been instrumental in the division of Sudan   Wimal Weerawansa

JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa at a Patriotic National Movement (PNM) press conference held in Colombo on Wednesday accused the new envoy of playing a vital part in dividing Sudan.

"Jon Hanssen-Bauer has been instrumental in the division of Sudan. We urge Norway to get out. If the Norwegians don't leave on their own accord we request of the government to sack Norway,” he said.

After 21 years of civil war which has cost lives of nearly 1.5 million people, Muslim-dominated Sudanese government and Christian rebels in the south signed a comprehensive peace deal in January 2005.

	Sudanese rebel leader became the vice president after the peace deal

The accord provides for a high degree of autonomy for the south, where rebels say they have been battling oppression and marginalisation.

The region will also share oil revenue equally with the north.

President Omar al-Bashir entered into a power-sharing administration in July 2005 alongside his former enemy, the southern ex-rebel leader John Garang, who has since died.

President Bashir remains the overall leader of Sudan, but Garang's successor, Salva Kiir, heads an interim administration in southern Sudan.

He (Bauer) has never been involved with Sudan   Erik Solheim

The Sudanese peace process, facilitated by Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), was supported by the Norwegian government.

But Norway insists that Jon Hanssen-Bauer was not a member of the government team.

According to his CV, he has been actively involved with Israel-Palestinian conflict from 1994 to 2005.