wfn.org | Archbishop of Canterbury calls for sustainable peace in Sudan

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Archbishop of Canterbury calls for commitment to sustainable peace in Sudan

Posted On : June 18, 2009 11:43 AM | Posted By : Admin ACO Related
Categories: Lambeth

ACNS: http://aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/6/18/ACNS4637

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has issued a statement
in support of today's 'Sudan Day of Action' which calls for a renewed
commitment to sustainable peace in Sudan. The Sudan Day of Action,
organised by Baroness Cox and the Sudan Action Group, aims to raise
awareness for the desperate plight of the people of Sudan.

> The Archbishop's statement is below:

This Sudan day of action is a crucial reminder of the need for renewed
commitment to achieving sustainable peace in Sudan. With only 18 months
left before the scheduled referendum on the future of Southern Sudan, it
is essential that all parties are reminded of the obligations contained
in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Government
of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in January 2005.

The CPA brought to an end 21 years of bitter civil war in Southern Sudan
in which over 2 million people died. I saw the first benefits of peace
myself when I visited Sudan in February 2006, just one year after the
signing of the agreement. The CPA brought new hope to Southern Sudan
after long and destructive conflict. Families could be reunited after
long years of separation. New development opportunities opened up such
as the church's widespread programmes of teacher training and classroom
building. For the first time, Southern Sudan had the opportunity to
establish its own government as an autonomous region within the country.

However, delays in implementing the CPA and unfulfilled commitments have
threatened the sustainability of this peace. There is now an urgency for
both parties to the agreement and the international community which
helped to broker and support it to demonstrate their renewed commitment
to implement the agreement fully. This includes proceeding with
disarmament and addressing the widespread problems of insecurity;
establishing a workable infrastructure of roads and energy supplies in
the region; settling the overdue issues of border demarcation; making
timely progress towards free and fair elections; and ensuring the
process is on track towards the referendum in which the people of
Southern Sudan exercise their right of self-determination in February
2011.

It is understandable and right that the continuing horrors of Darfur
attract international attention. But we need to recognize that unless
the commitments around the CPA are honoured there is no chance of
settling the conflict in Darfur.

I therefore urge a renewal of commitment and a readiness to work for
measurable results as soon as possible. Meanwhile I hope there will
continue to be the most widespread support and prayer for sustainable
peace to be achieved throughout Sudan.

> Ends

> Notes to editors:

Sudan Action Group consists of British parliamentarians, NGO's and
members of the Sudanese Diaspora. The group was established to raise
awareness of the desperate humanitarian crisis that exists in Sudan and
to encourage the British and Western governments to act to prevent a
humanitarian catastrophe to ensure peace, security and prosperity for
Sudan's future.

Further details can be found here: http://www.sudanaction.org.uk

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