News Article by AFP posted on January 09, 2005 at 16:04:36: EST (-5 GMT)
International acclaim, relief, at Sudan peace
NAIROBI, Jan 9 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell led international applause Sunday for a peace pact between Sudan and southern rebels but warned US policy on the country would be tied to a resolution of the crisis in Darfur.
Powell, here for the signing of the accord between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), said the sides must immediately move toward a political solution in the troubled western Sudanese Darfur province or miss out on potential benefits from Washington.
Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir welcomed the pact as "a new page of our history" that would be used to resolve Darfur:
It was "a new contract for all Sudanese. It is a comprehensive accord that we must use ... to resolve the conflict in Darfur."
Thousands of Sudanese exiles in Nairobi celebrated the deal ending Africa's longest-running conflict.
John Garang, head of the rebel Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA), said in Nairobi after signing: "This peace agreement has changed Sudan. Sudan shall not and will never be the same again.
"With this peace agreement, we begin the process of achieving real independence by all the people of Sudan and for all the people of Sudan."
The accord "affirms the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan."
Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha, who signed with Garang, said there was no time to be wasted nor effort to be spared in implementing the agreement.
"The governement of national unity will be put in place in a few weeks," he said. "I hope I'll never go to the bush again."
French junior foreign minister Renaud Muselier said in Nairobi the accord was historic and exemplary, and would "help to create to a positive dynamic in Darfur."
Sudanese troops and their militia allies have been fighting since February 2003 against rebel groups in Darfur, who have been demanding a greater share of oil revenues for development.
"France will contribute to the success of this accord, which should have a follow-on effect throughout the region," the French official said:
Powell said the new peace partners must cooperate immediately "to end the violence and atrocities that continue to occur in Darfur.
"The United States and the world community expect the new partners to use all necessary means to stop the violence and we expect to see rapid negotiation in the crisis in Darfur," Powell said:
"The United States looks forward to a positive relationship with this new Sudan. However, achieving a positive relationship will only be possible in the context of peace throughout the entire country."
The Nairobi crowd of Sudanese exiles cheered loudly as the pact ending nearly 21 years of conflict was signed.
In Colombo, visiting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said ahead of the signature: "I am thrilled that peace will return again between the North and the South in Sudan... Many were sceptical earlier about the agreement between the North and the South but it has made positive impact."
Germany hailed the accord as a first step to Sudanese stability.
"The signature of the peace accord is only a first step, albeit a big one. The international community must watch over and support the practical application of the accord," said senior foreign office official Kerstin Mueller.
Britain's Development Secretary Hilary Benn said in Nairobi the agreement was "a tremendous achievement which brings to an end a civil war that has claimed two million lives over a generation."
In Brussels, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, called it "a quantum leap for the region, and trusts that it will also contribute to enhanced regional stability."
"The peace should now be won swiftly and efficiently, with all the necessary
political willingness and with an inclusive approach....the Commission hopes
that this process will also positively impact on the Darfur conflict."