UN delegation in Sudan ‘encouraged’ by north-south talks

The Security Council delegation visiting Africa said today that it was encouraged by talks between representatives from north and south Sudan following the recent violence in the disputed town of Abyei.

Speaking after a second day of talks in Khartoum with senior Sudanese officials, the delegation urged Sudan to press ahead with the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Government and the former southern rebels. It welcomed the agreement that civilians displaced by violence in Abyei can return to their homes, and said it was encouraged by Sudan’s acceptance that the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) can move freely in its area of operation.

Delegation members discussed the CPA and the violence in Darfur earlier today with Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor, Presidential Adviser Nafie Al Nafie and Second Vice President Ali Osman Taha.

On Darfur, Council members welcomed signs of improved cooperation between the UN and Sudan, and emphasized the importance of pressing ahead with the Darfur peace process. They emphasized the importance of providing protection to UN and other humanitarian convoys, and said the Sudanese Government had agreed to increase its efforts towards that goal.

However, the delegation added that it had received an unsatisfactory response from Sudan on the issue of cooperation with the International Criminal Court, and stressed the need for Sudan to respect Security Council resolutions on the issue.

Sudan is the second stop for the delegation, after Djibouti. The 10-day visit also includes Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Côte d’Ivoire.