Press Releases

Plassnik: Peace agreement for Darfur is a big step forward

Foreign Minister Plassnik in the UN Security Council

“The signing of the Darfur peace agreement by the government of Sudan and the rebel movement SLM/A last Friday in Abuja is a big step forward for Darfur, for Sudan and for the whole of the African continent", Foreign Minister Plassnik, President of the Council of the EU, said on Tuesday in her speech to the UN Security Council in New York. "The Darfur peace agreement will smooth the way towards a fundamental improvement in the humanitarian situation and security conditions on the ground, towards protection of the civilian population, unrestricted deliveries of humanitarian aid as well as the restoration of lasting peace and reconciliation in the region." She also pointed out that the EU had supported the efforts of the African Union throughout the negotiation process.

Plassnik stressed the importance of all conflict parties signing the agreement and called on the rebel group JEM and the SLM/A faction led by Abdul Wahid to shoulder their responsibility for the peace process in Darfur by joining in the agreement. The next step, she said, will be to implement fully all provisions of the agreement. The EU supports the convening of a donor conference to secure the financing of the African Union peace mission AMIS in accordance with the provisions of the peace agreement. At the same time, a UN peace mission should be prepared without delay to maintain the international community's commitment to continuing the African Union mission in the region. 

According to Foreign Minister Plassnik, "EU support for the African Union will not diminish in the coming months”. She referred to EU contributions to the AMIS peace mission and the recent promise by the European Commission of further humanitarian aid and support for reconstruction.

She concluded with an urgent appeal to all parties to honour their commitments under the Darfur peace agreement. "The tragic events yesterday in the Kalma refugee camp remind us of how urgent it is to improve the humanitarian situation and security conditions. After the terrible years of war and violence, we have a responsibility to the people in Darfur to apply the peace agreement in practice."