Decision on the Peace Process in the Sudan

DECISION ON THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE SUDAN
Doc. EX/CL/42(III)c

The Executive Council:

1 • WELCOMES the significant progress made in The Sudan peace talks under the auspices of IGAD and with the support of the international community, and COMMENDS the Government of Kenya and its Special Envoy, Lt. General L.K. Sumbeiywo, for their continued efforts in facilitating the negotiations between the Government of The Sudan (GOS) and The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A);

2. APPEALS to both parties to continue to display the necessary spirit of compromise and accommodation, and to extend full cooperation to the Mediation so that a final peace agreement could be reached very soon;

3. UNDERSCORES the need for the continued respect of the cessation of hostilities provided for by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 15 October 2002 and full cooperation with the Verification and Monitoring Team (VMT) provided for by the Addendum of 4 February 2003 to the Memorandum of Understanding in order to create conditions conducive to the successful conclusion of the peace talks;

4. EXPRESSES SATISFACTION at the involvement of the AU Commission in The Sudan peace talks and at the steps taken for the Commission to contribute to the activities of the Verification and Monitoring Team, in accordance with the decision taken by the Central Organ at its 92^nd ordinary session at Ambassadorial level, held on 12 - 13 June 2003;

5. APPEALS to the international community to contribute to post-conflict reconstruction initiatives in The Sudan in support of a final peace agreement;

6. DECIDES to establish a Ministerial or Presidential Committee, if necessary, under the Chairpersonship of South Africa to follow-up the post-conflict reconstruction in The Sudan and to determine membership of the Committee in consultation with South Africa, The Sudan and the Commission of the African Union.