SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES 31 DECEMBER AGREEMENT BY PARTIES IN SUDAN,

LOOKS FORWARD TO SIGNING OF COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the initialling on 31 December by the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement of the last two agreements of the North-South peace process, namely, the Agreement on the Implementation Modalities of the Protocols and Agreements, and the Agreement on the Permanent Ceasefire and Security Agreements Implementation Modalities.  These constitute an integral part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which marks the parties’ commitment to end more than two decades of civil war.  He commends the dedication of the Sudanese delegates, who persevered to bring the talks to a successful conclusion by the agreed timeline.

The Secretary-General also hails the relentless diplomatic efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, led by its indefatigable Chief Mediator, General Lazarus Sumbeiywo, which were instrumental in bringing about a final agreement.  He thanks the Government of Kenya for its sustained support for the negotiations, and other governments, in particular those of the Troika, for their substantial assistance.  He looks forward to the official signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ushering in a new era of peace in the Sudan, in which the United Nations is prepared to play a significant role.

* *** *