TEXT- SPLM position on Darfur and Eastern Sudan
April 5, 2006 (RUMBEK) — In its inaugural meeting in Rumbek, the Interim Political Bureau (IPB) of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) discussed the conflict in Darfur and the situation in Eastern Sudan and their internal and external ramifications.
Conscious of its responsibilities as a major partner in the Government of National Unity (GoNU) and aware of the international and regional responsibilities of Sudan as a member of the UN and the AU, the SPLM IPB:
– Recognizes that the problems of Darfur and Eastern Sudan are essentially political and that the people of Darfur and Eastern Sudan have genuine grievances.
– Resolves that the GoNU should give urgent, immediate and undivided attention to the peaceful settlement of the conflicts in Darfur and Eastern Sudan, so that peace becomes comprehensive and all-embracing.
– Commits itself to continue working with National Congress Party (NCP) on a joint and common position on Darfur in order to achieve a just and sustainable peace in Darfur
– Believes that the resolution of the conflict in Darfur requires the unity of all Darfurian movements and undertakes to initiate open and direct dialogue with all those movements with the aim of achieving peace, reconciliation and unity.
– Endorses regional contacts undertaken by its Chairman with a view to engage regional players in the resolution of Sudanese conflicts and normalization of relations with neighbours. In that context it encourages the initiative of its Chairman to engage the Eritrean Government and the Eastern Front to set up a mutually acceptable negotiating forum in Asmara with the involvement of the Libyan Government.
– Supports and expresses appreciation of the decision taken on March 10th by the AU Peace and Security Council in giving the attainment of peace in Darfur the priority it deserves.
– Maintains that the CPA offers a reasonable framework for the resolution of the problem in Eastern Sudan.
– Calls on all parties to the conflict to refrain from the use of inflammatory, derisive or intimidating language that is prejudicial to peace and instead seek to build confidence based on mutual respect especially at the negotiations fora.
– Further calls on all parties to respect the humanitarian cease-fire agreements and protocols and provide a peaceful environment conducive to the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection of civilian life.
– Urges all parties to commit themselves to cessation of hostilities and to conclude the Enhanced Ceasefire Modalities tabled by the mediators at Abuja Talks.
(ST)