Declaration of Principles on Darfur

United States Welcomes Signing of Declaration of Principles on Darfur

The United States congratulates the parties on their signing of the Declaration of Principles for the Resolution of the Sudanese Conflict in Darfur. We welcome the agreement of the Government of Sudan, Sudan Liberation Movement, and the Justice and Equality Movement to the declaration’s 17 points that now provide a framework for negotiations on wealth and power- sharing as part of a Darfur political settlement. We urge the parties to undertake these negotiations quickly in order to achieve peace and reconciliation in Darfur.

The United States commends the African Union for the pivotal role it played in successfully mediating the talks in order to achieve the Declaration of Principles. Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, African Union Special Envoy for the Peace Talks on Darfur, deserves special recognition for his indispensable leadership of the African Union’s mediation of the negotiations. We also acknowledge the key role of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in his capacity as head of the African Union and as host of the talks. The United States observer team, headed by retired Ambassador John Yates, deserves recognition for playing a key role in supporting the efforts to achieve the Declaration of Principles.

The Declaration of Principles should serve as the basis for further good-faith political dialogue between the parties. We urge them to adhere to their previous cease-fire, humanitarian, and security commitments. We call on them to follow through with their recognition that the current conflict in Darfur can only be resolved through peaceful means. There must be an immediate end to the use of violence by all groups in Darfur.

As we have repeatedly pointed out, the crisis in Darfur and implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement are inter-related issues. Taken together, the Declaration of Principles and the planned July 9 installation of the presidency of the Government of National Unity constitute significant progress toward the goal of achieving peace throughout Sudan. The July 8-9 visit of Deputy Secretary Zoellick underscores the continuing commitment of the United States to support these efforts.

2005/677 Press Statement, Sean McCormack, Spokesman, Washington, DC, July 6, 2005

Source: state.gov more at Darfur or Sudan and African Union