07/01/2004

Foreign Secretary welcomes Sudanese peace accord

The Foreign Secretary has welcomed the latest stage of peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A).

The accord on wealth-sharing, which was signed in Naivasha, Kenya, today, represented a step closer to the implementation of a permanent peace process following the 20-year civil war. The rival parties are now moving on to discuss the remaining issues – power-sharing and arrangements for the three conflict areas of Southern Blue Nile, the Nuba Mountains and Abyei.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, and International Development Secretary, Hilary Benn, called on both parties to build on the latest step forward with a view to "concluding a comprehensive agreement very soon". To help create a stable environment, the UK has contributed over £4 million to the relief effort in Sudan.

In a joint statement, Mr Straw and Mr Benn said: "However, we reiterate our deep concern at the continuing humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict in Darfur in western Sudan.

"We call on all those involved to address the problems in Darfur through dialogue, to establish and maintain a ceasefire with independent monitoring and to allow unfettered humanitarian access to those in need.

(gmcg)

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