Wrapping up a four-day visit to Sudan, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all parties to the Darfur peace talks to take part in the next round of negotiations, which would be held in Tripoli on 27 October.
“I would again urge all the parties concerned, the Sudanese government and major players in the region, particularly the representatives of all movements, to participate,” said Mr. Ban, who was accompanied by Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol, at a Khartoum press briefing on 6 September.
During his stay, the Secretary-General said a Joint Communique had been drawn up between the Sudanese government and United Nations. Among its provisions, the government pledged to “contribute positively to a secure environment for (Darfur) negotiations”, while the UN expressed hope that “parties will cooperate to ensure negotiations are concluded as expeditiously as possible”.
Asked whether SLA leader Abdul Wahid al-Nur – who had opted out of previous talks in Arusha, Tanzania -- would attend the Tripoli talks, Mr. Ban said he had requested various players in the peace process to convince Mr. Nur to participate. “It is very important that, rather than protesting or complaining outside the framework of dialogue … everybody comes and addresses their concerns.”
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On the humanitarian situation in Darfur, Mr. Ban said he was “concerned and frustrated” by cases of humanitarian workers being threatened, hindered and sometimes kidnapped. “I would urge again … that they (the government and local authorities) ensure in accordance with the humanitarian joint communiqué … signed between the UN and the Sudanese government, security for them.”
The Secretary-General said he also begun discussing the urgent need for social and economic development in Sudan with major powers, European partners and international financial institutions. “I have raised the scarcity of water as one of the reasons and causes exacerbating the situation in the Darfur conflict … I am now going to work very closely to develop ideas on this development project.”
As for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between north and south, the Secretary-General said full implementation of the accord was at the core of the Darfur peace agreement. “I am encouraged that momentum has been created, that the international community has been paying much more attention to this.”
Noting that the status of Abyei was one of the CPA’s outstanding issues, he said the UN had no intention of interfering in internal matters, including Abyei, although it would assist. “As Secretary-General, I will be ready to provide whatever assistance, political or technical assistance, to facilitate the implementation of all pending issues, including the status of Abyei.” |
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