Norway’s political support to and involvement in the Sudan peace process has been the result of a longstanding commitment to humanitarian assistance to Sudan, the efforts of Norwegian NGOs in Sudan and cooperation between various academic institutions in Norway and Sudan.
Supporting the implementation of the peace agreement and making unity attractive are the key elements in Norway's Sudan policy.
International cooperation
Norway, together with the Netherlands, USA, Canada and Italy, founded a support group for the regional organisation IGAD in 1994 to support IGADs Declaration of Principles regarding peace in Sudan.
This group grew and later became the twenty nations IGAD Partners Forum. Norway is today co-chair of IGAD Partners Forum, the Sudan Committee.
History of humanitarian assistance
Through humanitarian efforts Norway has engaged both parties to the conflict. Humanitarian support to the war-affected areas in the south brought Norway in particular close contacts with the leading Southern rebel group, the SPLM/A. This relationship proved to be of special value to the government during the crucial last round of talks. Contrary to what could be expected, Norway's close contact with one party has proved to be of added value to the other.
Peace dividends needed
The Sudanese society will need to see speedy and concrete results of the peace agreement. Preparations for a broad-based and long term assistance effort have been underway for some time and will need co-operation by donors, the United Nations and other international organisations, NGOs and the parties themselves.
Norway has emphasised that the process of co-ordination of international aid to Sudan needs a strong Sudanese ownership. Therefore, the Norwegian government is supporting capacity building of both parties, to enhance their capacity to be in the "drivers’ seat" in the preparations for a broad-based and long term assistance effort.