Consultative meeting on Sudan held on sidelines of France-Africa summit

June 1, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — A number of African nations concluded a meeting at the Riviera city of Nice to discuss the issues facing Sudan particularly the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and preparations for the 2011 referendum in South Sudan.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the France-Africa summit attended by Sudan 2nd Vice President Ali Osman Taha who told official news agency (SUNA) that invitation extended by Paris is step forward to support contacts between the two countries.

He also disclosed that Sudan has requested that France renews the work of the joint committee with France to pave the way for further consultations.

Taha chaired the consultative meeting on Sudan attended by delegates of France, Egypt, Algeria, Ethiopia, Eretria, Burundi, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa and Chad.

SUNA said that the representatives of the African states pledged to work to support the unity and stability of Sudan based on the stance of the African Union (AU) rejecting division of countries in the continent.

Taha said that the U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon urged countries to continue supporting Sudan in fulfilling the requirements of the CPA noting that the participants also pledged to respect the results of the referendum even if it leads to formation of a new state.

Most analysts believe that Southern Sudanese will vote for secession following two decades of civil war with the North that killed at least 2 million people.

(ST)