US envoy commends peace process after “difficult negotiations”

NAIVASHA, Kenya, Jan 17, 2004 (SUNA) — The American special envoy for peace in Sudan, Senator John Danforth, commended the progress achieved in the peace process in Sudan after two years of “difficult negotiations” between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Speaking in a press conference he held in the Country Club resort in Naivasha Friday, the American special envoy explained that the two sides achieved significant success by signing the wealth-sharing agreement, urging them to settle the remaining issues, such as the three disputed areas and sharing of power.

Senator Danforth praised the efforts being exerted by the Inter- governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Kenyan government and General Lazarus Sumbeiywo, IGAD Special Envoy to achieve peace in Sudan. In this regard, the American envoy affirmed the concern of the American President George Bush, with the peace process in Sudan, promising to spare no efforts to make it reach its desired end, explaining that they support the initiative of IGAD and have no special plan for peace in Sudan.

Answering a question on the government’s statement regarding holding of the three areas, Senator Danforth explained that the two sides are committed to the peace process and belittled the importance of this statement on the progress of the negotiations, saying that the Sudanese government is very keen to achieve peace.

He further touched on the issue of Darfur, calling for working to achieve a cease-fire truce to give access to humanitarian assistance in the area.