Straw praises Sudan peace bid, alarmed by Darfur situation

LONDON, May 28 (AFP) — Britain voiced optimism after Sudan’s rival factions signed a deal aimed at ending 21 years of civil war, but expressed concern at a humanitarian catastrophe in the war-torn western region of Darfur.

“We welcome the signing yesterday (Wednesday) of the latest protocols at the Sudan peace talks at Naivasha,” Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said in a joint statement late Thursday.

“These protocols, together with the previously agreed documents, provide the political framework for a comprehensive peace agreement,” the statement said.

Britain called on the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army to work together to iron out further details on power-sharing and the administration of three disputed regions.

“Despite the progress made at the peace talks in Naivasha, conflict and instability persist in Sudan,” Straw and Benn said.

“We remain deeply troubled by the serious situation in Darfur.”

The UN has called the conflict in Darfur, where at least 10,000 people have been killed, more than a million displaced and several hundred thousand left at risk of starvation, the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

“We hope that a fully-monitored ceasefire and improved humanitarian access will provide a conducive atmosphere for inclusive political talks on the future of Darfur to begin as soon as possible,” the statement said