UN Support To Keep Sudan Peace On Track

Sudan: Envoy Promises UN Support To Keep North-South Peace Process On Track

New York, Aug 8 2005 4:00PM

Praising the commitment of the southern-based Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) to keep the fragile peace process on track following the helicopter crash last weekend that killed ex-rebel leader – and newly-elected Vice-President – John Garang, the top United Nations envoy for Sudan has pledged the world body’s support in the days ahead.

Jan Pronk, head of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) is back in the capital, Khartoum, after his three-day visit to southern town of Juba, where he attended Mr. Garang’s funeral ceremony Saturday and met with senior SPLM officials, a UN spokesperson in New York said today.

Mr. Garang steered the SPLM through two decades of fighting against the northern Government. Africa’s longest-running conflict ended with the signing of a peace accord in January, and Mr. Garang became First Vice-President in a new Government of National Unity. Violence erupted last Monday in the capital and in the south after word of his death spread.

In Juba, Mr. Pronk met with SPLM Chairman Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, and a high-level delegation, including Riek Machar, Vice-Chairman of the SPLM and Vice-President of Southern Sudan.

During the meeting, Jan Pronk praised the SPLM for the cohesion and unity they had shown after Mr. Garang’s tragic death by acting swiftly to appoint the new leader and reiterating their commitment to continue the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

He recommended that the SPLM identifies its immediate priorities in terms of relief aid and development assistance and promised that the UN would help within its capabilities.

ENDS

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