Summary: January 7, 2005: Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, appeals for a rapid implementation of the peace agreement between the Government of the Sudan and the SPLM/A (Brussels)
Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), sent today a letter to the African leaders concerned on the occasion of the signature of the agreement between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement / Army, foreseen Sunday, January 9, in Nairobi.
Mr. Solana addressed his message to the President of Sudan and the Chairman of SPLM/A, as well as to the President of Nigeria and acting President of the African Union, to the Chairman of the AU Commission, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kenya and to the Executive Secretary of IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority for Development, the regional organisation of the countries on the Horn of Africa).
"I warmly welcome the successful conclusion of the negotiation process between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A, a process which the EU and its Member States have supported politically and financially. H.E. President al-Bashir and SPLM/A Chairman Dr. John Garang will sign on Sunday, 9 January, a landmark agreement that is expected to bring durable peace to a region affected by the longest-running armed conflict in contemporary Africa.
This is an important success for IGAD, which has provided a framework and political guidance to the process. I commend the Mediator, General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, and the international observers for their untiring efforts to steer this process through its many ups and downs.
I am looking forward to a rapid and complete implementation of the agreement, and I appeal to the signatories to seize now the opportunity of bringing into the process all those political forces that have not taken part in the negotiation. The agreement is for the whole Sudan. All relevant political forces should be invited to participate in its implementation, notably within the framework of the constitutional review process foreseen in the Machakos Protocol. I hope that this agreement will
usher in a new era of equitable sharing of power and resources, and fair democratic competition.
In particular, I appeal to SPLM/A leader, Dr. John Garang, who will shortly join the new Government of Sudan to be established under this agreement, to assist in the resolution of the conflict in western Sudan. All parties involved in the Darfur conflict should rigorously respect all their commitments made at N'djamena and Abuja, cooperate fully with the African Union mission in Darfur, and return to the negotiation table without delay."
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