Annan in southern Sudan, discusses UN support with Garang
Sudan-UN, Politics, 5/30/2005

The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has visited southern Sudan in the course of the UN efforts to support the peace agreement.

Annan discussed with the officials of the council in charge of coordinating the southern states in Jouba and the leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, John Garang, in Rumbik means of implementing the peace agreement finalized between the Sudanese government and the movement in January this year.

Annan proposed UN programs for supervising this agreement including the deployment of peace keeping forces in the south, and the promises of the donor states to provide $4.5 billion to support peace.

The masses, which welcomed Annan in Jouba and Rumbik, stressed that famine threatens these areas while the relief commission warned that the increasing food shortage might flare up local conflicts on water and cattle.

The UN Secretary General admitted the shortage of financial resources necessary to finance aid, noting that the donor sides seemed to have had directed their aid to Darfur. Annan stressed the linkage between the establishment of comprehensive peace in the south to settling the crisis in West Sudan. He called for even distribution of aid between the two areas.

On Saturday, Annan visited the refugees camps in Darfur. He stressed that the situation there is not acceptable. He urged the international community to urgently interfere to end the sufferings of the people of the region.

For his part, Ali Othman Muhammad Taha, the Sudanese Vice President, called on the two rebel movements in Darfur to take part in the peace talks which are expected to be resumed in Abuja on June 10th.

Othman, who had met with Annan on Saturday in Khartoum, said that the Sudanese government is heading to the talks with a sincere desire to reach a solution, so as all sides will be able to take part in the "national" government which will be formed after the formulation of the interim constitution.

Previous Stories:
  UN accuses Darfur rebels of obstructing peace efforts   (5/26/2005)
  European commitment to send more African forces to Darfur   (5/24/2005)
  Moussa: Justice and Equality Movement in Sudan ready to resume negotiations   (5/19/2005)
  After Annan's call for generosity, donors pledges $4.5 billion for Sudan   (4/13/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search