France says concerned by SPLM pull out of Sudan’s unity govt

October 12, 2007 (PARIS) — French Foreign Minister expressed concern about the suspension of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement of its participation in the National unity government.

“I’m keen to underscore France’s concern about the difficulties facing the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.” Bernard Kouchner. He further urged Sudan peace partners to re-engage dialogue in order to resolve the current obstacles.

Sudan’s former rebel SPLM, which signed a historic peace agreement two years ago with Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party to end one of Africa’s longest-running wars, abruptly pulled out of the national unity government on Thursday in the gravest blow yet to the peace accord.

French top diplomat further said that “the time is decisive for the future of Sudan, given that we are soon arriving at the halfway point in the interim period of the comprehensive peace agreement and that negotiations are going to open in Sirte (Libya) on Darfur”.

The French Minister said that a political solution must come out of Darfur talks on Darfur in line with the CPA.

Kouchner called on the international community to support the SPLM and the NCP in their efforts to get a solution of the pending issues.

He also reminded he had proposed to hold an international ministerial conference to reactivated the implementation of the CPA; adding that France is poised for any follow up yo implement this offer made in New York on September 21 at an international meeting on Darfur on the sideline of UN General Assembly meeting.

(ST)