Press Release
Achievements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) read more...
10th of February 2006
The special Representative of the Chairperson of the commision of the African union condems the SLAM attack on Al-Malam read more...
2nd of september 2005
The Goverment of Sudan and rebel movments signed a declaration of principles read more...
6th of july 2005
Declaration of principles for the resolution of the conflict in Darfur read more...
5th of July 2005
Progress in Darfur read more...
2nd of June 2005
Sudan refutes Rice’s statement read more...
24 February 2005
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan’s statement on the offending caricatures of Prophet Mohammed (Peace and Mercy be upon him) read more...
10th of February 2006
Romanian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs press release read more...
4th of January 2005
Achievements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
1. The formation of the Transitional National Assembly;
2. The formation of the Council of States;
3. The formation of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly;
4. The formation of the Government of Southern Sudan;
5. The formation of Interim States Assemblies;
6. The enactment of the Constitution of the Southern Sudan;
7. The formation of the Government of National Unity; and
8. The formation of the Petroleum Commission.
9. Appointment of walis of states (governors) in the South and in the North;
10. Appointment of the First-vice president of the Republic and the Vice- president
11. Enactment and endorsement of the National Interim Constitution;
12. Formation of the Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) whose report on the needs and cost of repatriation of refugees and displaced people has been approved by the donors in Oslo ( Oslo Donors Conference) in 2005;
13. Formation of the Evaluation Commission;
14. Formation of the Joint Committee on Petroleum Revenues;
15. Formation of the Political Commission for Cease-fire;
16. Formation of the Joint Defence Council;
17. Formation of the National Council for Demilitarization , Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR).
The above-mentioned are few of the achievements of the CPA.
Bucharest ,11th february, 2006
Realising the gravity of this incidence the AMIS Sector Commander restrained the nomads from taking matters into their hands while appealing to the SLA/M to return the abducted nomads and their camels.
The Special Representative condemns not only the provocative banditry of the SLA/M, but also their continuing refusal to cooperate with AMIS intermediaries. He notes that from past experience, such incidence, coming so close to the resumption of the Abuja talks, not only destabilises the quiescent security situation on the ground, but also impacts negatively on the Talks. The continuing non-cooperation of the SLA/M casts doubts on the commitment of the Movement to a smooth resumption of the Abuja Talks, which the AU Special Envoy, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, has carefully prepared through his rounds of consultations with the parties to the conflict as well as with AU partners and other involved in the search for speedy resolution of the Darfur conflict.
In the interest of restoring calm in the area, the Special Representative therefore demands the immediate release of the abducted persons and their camels. Ambassador Kingibe however notes that with appreciation the restraint shown by the Arab nomads and their commitment to follow the path of mediation. He urges them to continue to resist the temptation of taking the law into their hands which would inevitably lead to further breakdown and deterioration of the security situation on the ground.
Khartoum , 02 September 2005
The declaration includes among others: wealth and power sharing, repatriation of displaced and refugees to Darfur , consolidation of the unity of Sudan , development of Darfur , encouragement of tribal reconciliation and security arrangements.
Dr. Magzoub Al-Khalifa, chief government negotiator, signed for the Government of Sudan, while Abdelwahed Mohamed Nur signed for the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and Dr. Khalil Ibrahim signed for the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
The chief AU mediator, Salim Ahmed Salim and the UN representative to Sudan , Jan Pronk, attended the ceremony.
The chief government negotiator reaffirmed his side's commitment to the AU-backed mediation and expressed confidence “that this march will continue until peace is achieved”.
Bucharest , 06 July, 2005
Declaration of principles for the resolution of the conflict in Darfur
PREAMBLE
1. We, the Government of the Sudan (hereinafter the GoS), the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), henceforth referred to as the parties, meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, under the auspices of the Africa Union (AU) as part of efforts to find lasting solution to the conflict in Darfur
2. Reiterating our commitment to our previous agreements, namely the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement signed in Ndjamena, Chad, on 8 April 2004, the Agreement on the Modalities for the Establishment of the Ceasefire Commission (CFC) and the Deployment of Observers signed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 28 May 2004, as well as the Protocols on the Improvement of the Humanitarian Situation in Darfur and on the Enhancement of the Security Situation in Darfur, both signed in Abuja, Nigeria on 9 November 2004
3. Reaffirming our commitment to the full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and Africa Union decisions stressing the need to reach a political solution in order to bring the conflict in Darfur to an end
4. Convinced that the core of the current conflict in Darfur is political and socio-economic which can only be resolved through peaceful means and within the framework of a comprehensive settlement that addresses its various causes and aspects
5. Stressing our commitment to respect international humanitarian law and promote and protect human rights, including the rights of women and children, as part of the efforts to address the prevailing situation in Darfur
6. . Recognizing that faith, traditional values and customs as well as family as the natural and basic nucleus of society, play a positive role
7. Reaffirming our commitment to the unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Sudan
8. Recognizing that the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of the Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) on 9 January 2005 constitutes a significant step towards finding a just, peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in the Sudan
Agree that the following principles shall guide our future deliberations and constitute the basis for a just, comprehensive and durable settlement of the conflict in Darfur:
1. Respect of the diversity of the people of the Sudan is of paramount importance, .as are the full recognition and accommodation of the multi-ethnic, as well as the development of multi-cultural character of the society. The territorial integrity and unity of the Sudan , historically agreed to by the free will of its people will be enhanced by the recognition and accommodation of such diversity
2. Democracy, political pluralism, freedom, a vibrant and dynamic civil society, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, the freedom of the media, accountability and transparency with justice and equality for all, regardless of ethnicity, religion and gender are a basis for the effective participation of all Sudanese citizens in the management of their own affairs and decision-making processes at all levels of governance
3. Citizenship is the basis for civil and political rights and duties including the freedom of expression and association for all Sudanese. No Sudanese shall be discriminated against on the basis of religion, belief, ethnicity, gender or for any other reason. This shall be incorporated into the national constitution
4. A federal system of government with an effective devolution of powers and a clear distribution of responsibilities between the national and other levels of governance is considered essential for ensuring effective local participation and fair administration of Sudan in general and Darfur in particular. In this context, issues relating to the Native Administration should be addressed
5. Effective representation in all government institutions at the national level, including the Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches, as well as economic and cultural institutions shall be ensured for effective participation by the citizens of the Sudan , including those from Darfur
6. National wealth should be distributed equitably. This is essential to ensure the effectiveness of the devolution of power in Darfur , within the framework of a federal system of government, and to ensure that due consideration is given to the socio-economic needs of Darfur
7. Power sharing and wealth sharing shall be addressed in accordance with a fair criteria to be agreed by the Parties
8. Humanitarian assistance will be provided on the basis of humanitarian principles including those enshrined in International Humanitarian Law, UN norms and standards
9. Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have an inalienable right to return to their places of origin in accordance with International Law and UN norms and standards. To this end, the parties to the conflict and the international community shall take concrete measures to create a conducive environment to provide the necessary assistance to IDPs and Refugees
10. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of Darfur is a priority. To that end, steps shall be taken to compensate the people of Darfur and address grievances for lost assets , destroyed or stolen and suffering caused
11. The promotion of reconciliation, the restoration of the traditional and time honored peaceful coexistence among the communities of Darfur, based on the principle of mutual respect, and the commitment to prevent future divisions are essential to restore and sustain lasting peace and stability in Darfur
12. In order to achieve sustainable development, water resources and land use issues shall be addressed. Tribal land ownership rights (hawakeer) and other historical rights shall be affirmed within their historical borders. Traditional mechanisms in Darfur will be considered consistent with the provision of the National Constitution
13. Broad security arrangements to consolidate the restoration of peace shall be addressed in the context of a comprehensive agreement
14. Agreements reached by the Parties shall be presented to the people of Darfur to secure their support through Darfur dialogue and consultation
15. The guarantee of the AU and assistance of the international community shall be sought to ensure the implementation of Agreements reached for the resolution of the conflict in Darfur
16. All Agreements reached by the Parties shall be incorporated into the National Consittution
17. The Parties commit themselves to undertake negotiations to end the conflict in Darfur in good faith
Abuje, 5 July 2005
For the Government of the Sudan
Mohamed Yousif Abdallah
State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs
For the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army
Khamis Abdallah Abaker Lissan
Vice President
For the Justice and Equality Movement
Ahmed Mohamed Tugod
Head of Delegation
Witnessed by:
The AU Special Envoy for the Peace Talks on Darfur
on behalf of the Mediation
Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim
The United Nations conceded that progress has been made in the situation in Darfur .
To this end, Jan Pronk, the special representative of the Secretary General to Sudan , has said in the UNMIS briefing that the Secretary General has expressed amazement as to the progress made in Darfur admitting that the Government has honoured its commitments as to the respect of the ceasefire agreement signed with Darfur rebels during the past two months. Pronk told the weekly press briefing that the situation in Darfur was not as bad as being depicted by some media organs and repeated by some politicians outside Sudan . The UN official has also commended the role played by the governor of South Darfur State , El Hajj Atta Al-Manan, in tribal reconciliation, which have yielded in good results on the ground.
In another context, the President of the Republic of the Sudan, Omar Hassan ElBashir, stated that western media often overlooked the rebels' actions and movements while overdoing the movements of the Government and the armed forces by making false and unfounded reports, calling on the international community to step up its pressures on the rebels to commit to their obligations undertaken in the agreements signed in N'Djamena , Abuja and Abbashi.
He also expressed his hope, during his meeting with Jan Pronk, that the coming round of negotiations with the rebels scheduled to be held on 10 th of June, will achieve the desired results.
Bucharest , 02 June 2005
“ The persistence of accusing Sudan of tolerating genocide in Darfur is unfounded and totally contradicts with all the reports released by international and regional organizations and bodies, including the United Nations which refuted this claim earlier.
It has to be reiterated that the African Union is the only authority that can evaluate the situation in Darfur through its Mission in Sudan and in consultation with the Government of Sudan. It remains needed the logistic resources to facilitate its mission in Darfur whose job of easing and improving the situation has been appreciated by all including the Government of the United States.
While pressures are not needed, Sudan confirms its keenness in conducting a serious negotiation with the armed parties in Darfur to reach at a bona fide peaceful settlement to the conflict. “
Bucharest , 24 february 2006
In its statement the Ministry indicated that freedom of press should not be an excuse for insulting and offending Prophet Mohamed (Peace and Mercy be upon him). It is an offence. Freedom means responsibility and should not be used to justify insulting and ridiculing religious sanctities and beliefs. Moreover, the cartoons don't hold an opinion or thought. They represent a grave insult for billions of Muslims all over the world.
The international norms and charters and the culture of the age call to respect beliefs and religious sanctities and to avoid insulting them, as this represents a key-condition for peaceful coexistence.
The statement appealed to all countries' mass media to refrain from publishing what is offensive to religious beliefs and request the publisher papers to apologize for the hurt and insults inflicted on the Muslims and calls on all states to assume their responsibilities in maintaining Muslims' rights in this respect.
Khartoum ,10th february, 2006
On a symbolic level, the signing of the two protocols on the very last day of the year may have the value of closing a tragic chapter, with hundreds of thousands of victims and material damages in the post-independence history of Sudan .
Romania , as elected member of the Security Council, actively supported during the last year, the actions initiated by the Security Council with a view to facilitating the inter-Sudanese peace negotiations taking place in Naivasha ( Kenya ) under the aegis of the Inter-governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and the African Union.
The completion of the peace agreement stages an enhanced involvement of the international community in peace-keeping. A significant dimension is represented by the participation of the Multinational Standby force High Readiness Brigade for UN operations in the establishment of the Staff of the new UN Mission in Sudan . Starting January 2005, Romania has taken over the SHIRBRIG chairmanship-in-office
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlines – on a larger extent – the special relevance of the cooperation between Romania , UN and the regional orgaisations in their efforts to bring stability and support the development of Sudan and other countries in the region.
Starting its second year as member of the main UN body responsible for peace-keeping and international security, Romania expresses its hope that peace settled between the North and the South of the largest African state will represent an opportunity for speeding up the solutioning of the difficult humanitarian situation in the western Darfur region, a prime concern of the Security Council.
Romania is convinced that security and sustainable peace on the territory of this country is not only for the benefit of the Sudanese people but also for the benefit of stability on the whole African continent.
Romania desires to develop political and economic relationship with Sudan, for their common interest, putting to better value the potential of the two countries, including the cultural-human dimension offered by the number of 5,000 Sudanese who studied in Romanian universities along the years.