British minister visits Sudan for talks on CPA and Darfur

October 14, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — British state Minister for International Development, Gareth Thomas begins today a two day visit to Sudan to urge Sudanese officials to enforce a north south peace agreement and to step up efforts to end Darfur conflict-

The UK state minister met with the Presidential Adviser Ghazi Salah Al-Deen, who is in charge with Darfur dossier, Minister for Finance and National Economy Awad Al-Jaz, Chairman of the National Election Commission, Abel Alier and representatives of nongovernmental organizations. He is expected tomorrow in Juba.

“There are many challenges ahead, and the UK will do what it can to help Sudan deliver the peaceful and prosperous future that all its citizens deserve,” said Thomas on Wednesday after his arrival to the Sudanese capital.

In a press conference held this evening, he further urged the CPA partners to resolve the key outstanding issues, particularly the census and the referendum. Also, he stressed on the need to end the six-year conflict in Darfur.

Speaking about the importance to hold free and fair elections scheduled next year, he warned that persistent differences between the two peace partners could delay further long-awaited elections.

“There has got to be agreement; people have got to sit down and reach a conclusion in order for Sudanese people to be able to participate in genuinely free and fair elections,” said Thomas.

“The political parties do need to resolve their differences on the implementation of the census … and agreements that need to be reached in advance for the election to take place,” he further said.

The development budget of the second largest bilateral donor for Sudan reached his year £115 million. In 2010/2011 the British aid will rise to £140 million.

The visiting British official said his country welcomes the increasing government concern with the abduction of humanitarian workers in Darfur but stressed that there should be more condemnation of the abductions.

“The rhetoric has been changing and that is encouraging, and we need so see that continue. We need to see the government take all the steps it can to crack down on kidnappers.”

Two female aid workers of the Irish aid agency GOAL remain in captivity since their abduction last July. Also two UNAMID civilian staff are held by kidnappers since last August.

(ST)