Lawmakers urge appointment of US envoy to monitor Sudan peaces

Aug 1, 2006 (WASHINGTON) — US lawmakers expressing “grave concerns” about the shaky peace implementation in southern Sudan and Darfur troubled region, called on the George W. Bush administration to name an envoy to monitor developments there.

“We believe we’re at a crucial time where … effective action needs to be taken,” said Republican Representative Chris Smith, who said a special envoy could monitor “the full and thorough implementation” of the peace agreements in Sudan.

“There is grave concern among many of us that the comprehensive peace agreement for southern Sudan is at risk,” he said at a press conference.

President Bush pledged in a meeting with the Sudanese First Vice President during his last month visit to Washington to appoint a special envoy to monitor Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in January 2005 between the Sudanese government and the SPLM.

“It’s time, for the sake of the people who are suffering and dying as we speak here in Washington, that a special envoy be named by President Bush who will work robustly in the region, will meet with the key players, will attend to the nuances and the details to implementing these two peace accords,” said the lawmaker, who is chairman of the House committee on Africa, Global Human Rights, International Operations

He was joined by another Republican representative, Frank Wolf.

“Genocide is still taking place in Darfur in Sudan. Men are still being killed. Women are still being raped. Children are growing up in refugee camps. And the world has been paralyzed to stop it,” said Wolf.

“The situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate and key provisions … of the comprehensive peace agreement and the Darfur peace agreement are not being implemented,” Wolf said.

The peace agreement, which Khartoum signed with the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) Minawi faction in May requires the government to disarm the Janjaweed Arab militias, accused of raping and murdering civilians in the vast desert region.

But observers have warned that Sudan risked becoming a war zone again if the agreement was not fully implemented by Khartoum.

(ST)