FACTBOX-Quotes on southern Sudan peace accord.

NAIROBI, Jan 9 (Reuters) – Sudan’s Islamist government and southern rebels forged a comprehensive peace on Sunday ending Africa’s longest-running civil war. Here is a selection of quotes about the event:

Supporters from north and south Sudan, holding Sudan, and SPLM flags, celebrate Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005, at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya during the signing of Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement. (AP).

Southern Sudanese musician Malek Malual, aged 25, who has lived in exile in Kenya for 12 years: “We are so happy today. We don’t want any more bloodshed. I want to go home. I have 12 years to catch up on.”

Sudanese exiled in Kenya Aisha Abdulrahman: “I hope peace comes immediately, today. I have suffered a lot because my family members died in that (Islamist) jihad. But now my five children will have lives better than mine.”

Grace Datiro, 35, a southerner who has lived in Kenya for 14 years since war drove her from her home in Sudan’s Equatoria region: “If I had wings I would be flying.”

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir: “Our people have tasted the great agony of war. It is a great blessing that fear has now changed to peace.”

Southern rebel leader John Garang: “Sudan cannot and will never be the same again as this peace agreement will engulf the country in democratic and fundamental transformation instead of being engulfed in wars.

“If this does not work then we will have to look for other solutions, such as a split in the country. But we believe that a new Sudan is possible, for there are many in the north who share with us … a belief in the universal ideals of humanity.”

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni: “The reality of the Sudan, we saw it here, when they were dancing. The people of the turbans with the people of the ostrich feathers. How do these people live together respecting each other’s culture? This has been the problem of the Sudan.”

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell: “These new partners in peace must work together immediately to end the violence and atrocities that continue to occur in Darfur – not next month or in the interim period, but right away, starting today”.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan: “I hope it is not just going to be an agreement on paper. We have prepared our plans and hope to work with them, but the agreement will hopefully have a positive impact on the situation in Darfur. There are lessons there which could apply to the situation in Darfur.”