Nairobi hosts conference on reconstruction of Sudan

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 1, 2004 (PANA) — The reconstruction of war-ravaged
southern Sudan would be the main issue on the agenda of an
international conference on peace opening here Friday, according
to the Kenya ministry of Planning and National Development.

Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) chairman Dr John
Garang is expected to address the conference.

Officials told PANA the aim of the conference is to identify and
coordinate reconstruction activities that could begin immediately
after the final peace pact between the Sudanese government and
the southern rebels is concluded hopefully before the end of the
year.

The Peace Building and Reconstruction Conference for Southern
Sudan was originally slated for 21-25 September but was postponed
due to a similar conference in Oslo, Norway but which was
overshadowed by the conflict in the western region of Darfur.

Expected at the Nairobi conference are representatives of the
Khartoum government, the SPLM/A, international organisations, and
NGOs working in southern Sudan.

“Active involvement in Sudan by the donor community and a rapid
start to reconstruction activities are crucial ingredients for
stability in the delicate phase following a peace agreement,”
Kenya Planning Minister Anyang Nyong’o told PANA.

The peace conference comes against a backdrop of frustrations
over the slow pace in the implementation of agreements between
the two sides.

The SPLM/A accuses Khartoum of dragging its feet on the
resumption of talks, which should lead to the final peace
agreement.

The Nairobi conference will discuss peace-building activities
such as mine clearance, disarmament and the monitoring of cease-
fire pacts, as well as building up the country’s infrastructure
and establishing State authority.

Humanitarian activities that are particularly crucial for the
planned return of more than 600,000 refugees scattered in
neighbouring countries.