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Peace Dawns for Sudan

The East African Standard (Nairobi)
NEWS
June 6, 2004
Posted to the web June 7, 2004

By Francis Openda
Nairobi
The long and tortuous Sudan peace process took another bold step yesterday with
the launch of the final phase of negotiations at State House, Nairobi.
The Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/
A) signed an accord launching the final phase of the peace talks, which
commence in Naivasha on June 22.
Sudan's First Vice-President, Ali Osman Taha, and SPLM/A leader John Garang
signed the accord at a colourful and well attended ceremony witnessed by
President Mwai Kibaki, local and foreign cabinet ministers, diplomats and
delegates to the peace talks.
The occasion was marked by song and dance, during which Muslims from the north
and Christians from the south joyfully hugged.
Dignitaries who witnessed the signing ceremony included African Union
representative Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, the UN Secretary General's
representative, Ambassador Mohammed Sahnoun, Norway's Minister for
International Co-operation, Hilda Johnson, and the Secretary-General of the
Arab League, Amir Moussa.
The agreement heralds the final leg of the peace process, expected to bring
long lasting peace to Africa's largest country, which has been embroiled in a
civil war for the past three decades.
Both Garang and Taha re-affirmed their commitment to ensure the success of the
peace process.
Describing the occasion as historical, President Kibaki said much had been
achieved despite the numerous obstacles.
"A giant is ready to rise and take its rightful place among other peaceful
African countries," he said.
He said having come this far, the parties involved should maintain the momentum
and ensure "the long and difficult journey towards sustainable peace is
achieved."
Kibaki said they should put the interests of the people of Sudan above
everything else.
Kenya's government would continue giving its full support to the process until
the end "when all will celebrate the dawn of lasting peace", he added.
Kibaki said his government had no regrets over the time and resources that it
had dedicated to the peace process.
He said the process would serve as a catalyst for peaceful resolution of other
conflicts in Africa.
Kibaki said the parties in the peace process should not sit on their laurels
over what had been achieved, but instead be forward looking and see what can
yet to be done.
Garang said the signing of the accord marked a solemn declaration on the part
of the two parties that war was slowly coming to an end in Sudan.
"The agreement will change Sudan forever and bring to an end the 38 years of
turmoil and suffering," he said.
Garang said the country had slowly been headed for the abyss and would have
completely disintegrated were it not for the peace process.
He said the major problems facing Southern Sudan include education, health,
infrastructure and agriculture.
"Politics is not only about power but about people," said Garang.
He said all political parties in Sudan should be brought aboard and said the
peace process must be all-inclusive and also sort out the current problems in
the Darfur region.
Taha, who spoke through a translator in Arabic, said both parties came to the
negotiations with a strong determination to achieve peace.
"It is the determination of Sudan people to have peace as this will herald new
life and perspectives," he said.

   

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