Enhancing AU role is key factor in solving Darfur crisis: Hilde Johnson
KHARTOUM, Feb 14, 2005 (SUNA) — The Norwegian Minister of International Development, Hilde Johnson, said that enhancement of the African Union role is a key factor for solving the crisis of Darfur.
Speaking at a joint press conference she held Monday with the State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nagib Al-Khair Abdul-Wahab, the visiting Norwegian minister said that the African Union is doing a remarkable job in the ground and shall be assisted in order to make its mission in Darfur a success.
She added that it is a high time to reach a settlement to the crisis of Darfur toward a comprehensive and lasting peace, calling for commencing implementation of the peace agreement between the government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) as well as working to make the unity attractive for the Sudanese compatriots.
In this regard, the Norwegian Minister stressed the important role to be played by the International Community as a partner of peace, particularly in providing humanitarian, development and technical assistance.
As for convocation of Donors conference in Oslo in the first half of April, She said that she discussed with the Sudanese officials current preparations to hold the said conference, underlining necessity of commencing the interim period according to the peace agreement before Oslo Conference.
On his part, State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nagib Al-Khair Abdul-Wahab, affirmed that the Sudanese and Norwegian sides have shared identical views, saying that the two parties stressed the importance of holding the Donors Conference in Norway after commencement of the interim period.
Abdul-Wahab said that the government and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) will participate in the conference with one delegation in a view that they will be partners in the interim government of Sudan.
He said that the Donors Conference aims to meet the requirements of peace in the united Sudan, as well as rendering unity as an attractive choice of the people of Sudan.
On the bilateral relations between Sudan and Norway, the minister explained that Norway has decided to raise its diplomatic representation in Sudan by establishing an Embassy in Sudan with a resident Ambassador, besides a Consulate in Juba, south Sudan.
Norway will spare no efforts in conveying peace requirements to the affected areas in the South and Darfur as well as in Eastern Sudan, said the Minister.
He said that the Norwegian Minister of International Development will pay a visit to the states of Darfur on Wednesday where she will participate in a tribal reconciliation ceremony and get acquainted with the on-going efforts by the government to restore the social fabric in Darfur.