Sudan urges world to help refugees’ repatriation

Oct 7, 2006 (GENEVA) – The Sudanese minister of state for the Interior in the Government of National Unity has urged the international community to help repatriate Sudanese refugees from the neighboring countries.

Speaking at the meeting on Wednesday 4 October, Aleu Ayieny Aleu said that the Government of Southern Sudan wants all refugees to return home to help in the reconstruction process, the Sudan Radio Service reported.

Aleu said the government has signed an agreement with the governments of Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central Africa Republic to make repatriation easier.

The Minister also urged the international community to study the causes of the Darfur conflict so as to find a comprehensive solution to the crisis.

Meanwhile, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, Antonio Guterres, called on the holdout rebel groups in Darfur to join the Darfur Peace Agreement signed between Khartoum and one rebel faction last May.

Guterres further said that humanitarian assistance can only reach the people if there is peace in the region.

The Annual Executive Committee meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees token place in Geneva during five days from2 -6 octobre.

(SRS/ST)