Commission welcomes signing of the Sudan peace agreement

The European Commission warmly welcomed the signature on Sunday 9th January 2005, in Nairobi, of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army, thereby ending a two-decade civil war, the longest-running on the African continent.

The Commission was represented by the Director General for Development, Stefano Manservisi. Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development, who visited the country in the first week of his mandate, stated : "I would like to congratulate the two Parties for having achieved the Naivasha negotiations, which should pave the way for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of all parts of the Sudan, thereby tackling and alleviating the immense suffering of the Sudanese people". The Commission sees this agreement as a quantum leap for the region, and trusts that it will also contribute to an enhanced regional stability.

The North-South war has now ended. The peace should now be won swiftly and efficiently, with all the necessary political willingness and with an inclusive approach. This will require a continued sense of compromise by both Parties within the spirit and the letter of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

The Commission hopes that this process will also positively impact on the Darfur conflict and will help prevent other tensions. Mr. Michel assured the signatories : "The Commission stands ready to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation both with financial and technical support, and through political facilitation".

The resumption of the EC/Sudan Development Cooperation and the release of European Funds will contribute to the peace dividends the people of the Sudan have been waiting for.

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