Arab States played significant role in Sudan’s peace restoration

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, left, shakes hands with John Garang, leader of Sudan’s People’s Liberation Army, center, as National Democratic Alliance ( NDA) chairman Mohammed Osman Mirghani, right, looks on after signing the Sudanese reconciliation accord in Cairo between the Sudanese government and the National Democratic Alliance, an umbrella opposition grouping, Saturday, June 18, 2005. (AP).

ALGIERS, July 12, 2005 (KUNA) — Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Osman Ismail lauded on Tuesday Arab States’ role in issues related to restoring peace in Sudan, calling on them to continue their support for the Sudanese peace process and to contribute in the reconstruction of Sudan.

On the sidelines of the 46th session of Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (APU), Ismail told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) “We have a lot of respect for the (Arab) participation,” he said, describing Arab participation in the agreement’s signing ceremony as active.

He said that the situation in Sudan has been improving since Sudan decided to end 35 years of war, pointing that the peace agreement signed by Khartoum’s government and the Sudanese opposition parties include regional and international guarantees in addition to huge development programs.

Regarding development in Sudan, “the Sudanese government drafted a three-year development plan for USD eight billion to reconstruct what was ruined by war,” he said.

Concerning the Sudanese political process, Ismail noted that Sudanese jails have had no political prisoners since the emergency state was waived and more freedoms granted in Sudan in accordance with the peace agreement.