Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson congratulated the parties to the peace negotiations for Sudan yesterday after they managed to agree on security issues in connection with a peace agreement. She also congratulated the Kenyan chief negotiator, General Lazarus Sumbeiywo, and commended him for his efforts. The Minister has been in constant contact with the leaders on both sides during the summit meeting between Vice President Taha and SPLM leader Garang in Lake Naivasha, Kenya, which began on 4 September.

"I told Vice President Ali Osman Taha and the SPLM leader, Dr John Garang, that the Norwegian Government is very pleased that the Sudanese Government and the SPLM have agreed on security arrangements in the peace negotiations. I congratulated the parties and commended them for the political courage and responsibility they have shown in agreeing on the general principles for a solution to the military issues, which will be a key to achieving a final peace agreement," said Ms Johnson.

The Minister is pleased that both parties have confirmed that they will continue the negotiations with a view to resolving the outstanding issues. This will form a basis for a peace agreement that could provide a lasting solution to the civil war in Sudan, which has been going on for 20 years.

The current round of peace negotiations for Sudan has been going on since May 2002, facilitated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which is a regional organisation. The negotiations have been led by Kenyan General Lazarus Sumbeiywo and envoys from Uganda, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Norway has participated in the negotiations as an observer, together with the USA, the UK, Italy, the UN and the OAU.

Norway has been providing humanitarian assistance to Sudan for a long time, both through Norwegian NGOs and through international organisations. This year the total amount allocated will be approximately NOK 200 million. Norway is also contributing personnel and financial support to the Joint Monitoring Commission, which is observing the cease-fire agreement in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. The JMC is headed by Brigadier Jan Erik Wilhelmsen. Norway is also supporting the Verification and Monitoring Team established to support the implementation of the MoU on the temporary cessation of hostilities, which is headed by Kenya.

"A peace agreement in Sudan will make great demands on the international community in terms of assistance in reconstruction, demobilisation, mine clearance and the establishment of civil institutions. Norway is already providing financial support to preparatory measures under the auspices of the UN and the World Bank, and has been co-operating with a number of other countries, the EU, the UN and the World Bank on preparations for large-scale assistance. These efforts will now be intensified in the run-up to a donor-country conference that will be hosted by Norway," said the Minister of International Development.

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