Global Arab Network | Sudan, UN Welcome Kuwait Proposal to Hold Donor Conference for Eastern Region

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Sudan, UN Welcome Kuwait Proposal to Hold Donor Conference for Eastern Region

Global Arab Network - - Adnan Kassar

Tuesday, 16 November 2010 22:20

Kuwait - UN Security Council and Sudan has welcomed the Kuwaiti initiative to hold a Donor Conference for Eastern Sudan scheduled for early December, reports Global Arab Network according to Kuna.

Addressing the Council on behalf of the members, Council President British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement that the Council "welcomes the initiative of the Government of Kuwait to hold a Conference on investment and development in Eastern Sudan in December." He said that the Council encourages full implementation of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement, including the provisions regarding rehabilitation, recovery and development.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti also thanked the Kuwaiti Government for the initiative and expressed hope that donor countries will be able to participate in the Conference either by supporting it or investing to reconstruct the Eastern part of the country.

The Council held a high level meeting on Sudan and urged all Sudanese parties to abide by their commitments under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005 and to resolve their outstanding differences peacefully - including through the conduct of a peaceful referendum on the possible independence of southern Sudan and oil rich region of Abyei.

On the overall situation in Sudan, Hague said in the statement that it represents one of the "most urgent challenges facing the Council." He welcomed the start of the registration for the referenda and encouraged further efforts to ensure that they are held on 9 January 2011 in accordance with the CPA and as scheduled.

However, he expressed concern at the continued delays in releasing the full funding needed to allow the process to move forward.

In this regard, Karti urged the international community and the Donor countries to assist Sudan financially to implement this part of the CPA without delay.

The Council also called in the statement read out by Hague on the parties and all Member States to respect the outcome of credible referenda that reflect the will of the people of Southern Sudan and Abyei, and requested all parties to refrain from unilateral action.

It further underlined the need for the CPA parties to promote calm, including by providing immediate and ongoing reassurance to people of all nationalities in Sudan, including Southerners in the North and Northerners in the South, that their rights, safety and property will be respected whatever the outcome of the referenda.

The Council also reaffirmed its support for the African Union AU-UN led peace process for Darfur, hosted by the State of Qatar, and strongly urged all rebel movements to cease hostilities and join the peace process without further delay or preconditions.

The Council underlined that full and timely implementation of the CPA is "essential to peace and stability in Sudan and the region and to future co-operation between Sudan and the international community."

Addressing the Council, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the referendum has the potential to "change the future of Sudan and send shockwaves throughout the region." The role of this Council, he added, remains "essential. I urge you to help build bridges between North and South and, in the same spirit, to ensure that the fundamental imbalances fuelling conflict elsewhere in Sudan are addressed." He noted that to ensure that the referendum is conducted in an orderly fashion and that the Sudanese people peacefully accept the outcome, it is "imperative that the process be credible and transparent and that it reflect the aspirations of the population." He said he remains concerned by delays in the preparations for the referenda, partly resulting from considerable national funding shortfalls.

The international community, including the UN family, NGOs and donors, stands ready to provide further assistance, he vowed, noting that approximately USD 63 million is needed to pre-position humanitarian assistance near potential hot spots.

He disclosed that the UN is working with both parties on options for a possible augmentation of additional UN troops, to increase referendum and post-referendum security as well as the capacity to verify and monitor possible cease-fire violations and to protect civilians throughout the mission area.

However, he added, "the presence of UN troops will not be enough to prevent a return to war should wide-spread hostilities erupt. Only a demonstrated commitment by the parties to refrain from inflammatory statements, uphold the CPA ceasefire mechanisms and reassure the population of their willingness to work together, will succeed in maintaining peace." On the situation in Darfur, he said there is an urgent need to reach a comprehensive and inclusive settlement. (KUNA)

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