Norway continues to engage strongly in sustaining peace and promoting reconciliation in all parts of Sudan. Supporting the implementation of the peace agreement and making unity attractive are key elements of Norwegian policy. The critical humanitarian situation in Darfur remains an important issue that needs to be addressed. Norway is committed to contribute to sustainable and peaceful solutions for the whole country.
07/01/2007 ::
Sudan is high on the Norwegian foreign policy and development assistance agenda. Norway’s support to and involvement in peace efforts in Sudan is the result of our longstanding commitment to humanitarian assistance to Sudan, the efforts of Norwegian NGOs working in Sudan, and a long-lasting co-operation between various academic institutions in Norway and Sudan.
Norwegian participation in peace talks
Norway participated actively in the peace talks between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Kenya (2002-2005), and in the Darfur Peace negotiations that took place in Abuja, Nigeria (2004-2006). Norway was also involved in peace talks on the Eastern Sudan, conducted under the auspices of the Eritrean government in Asmara. These negotiations lead to the signing of a peace agreement in October 2006.
Supporting the signing and implementation of CPA
Together with the Netherlands, USA, Canada and Italy, Norway founded a support group for the regional organisation IGAD in 1994, to support IGADs efforts to find a negotiated political settlement to the civil war in the Sudan. Later, this group became the twenty nations IGAD Partners Forum, and Norway co-chaired the Sudan Committee. Norway participated in the Naivasha-negotiations leading to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in January 2005, between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A.
Through longstanding humanitarian efforts, Norway engaged with both Parties to the conflict, and the humanitarian support to the war-affected areas in the south brought Norwegians in particular close contacts with the leading Southern rebel group, the SPLM/A. This relationship proved to be of special value during the last round of peace talks when the Parties expressed the need for a trusted third party interlocur that could relay messages and explain positions. Thus, Norway’s close contact with one party proved over time to be of added value to the other.
In April 2005, Norway hosted the international donor’s conference for the Sudan, where donors pledged assistance for the reconstruction process that began with the signing of the CPA. The Norwegian government pledged a total of 1.65 bill. NOK for the period 2005-2007.
Norway remains committed to assist both the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan in their efforts of nation-building and capacity building, and in their endeavours for improving the socio-economic and political situation in Sudan. Full implementation of the peace agreement is vital for such progress. Norway chairs the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC), which is the key institution for foreseeing the implementation of the CPA.
Darfur
The humanitarian crisis in Darfur still remains an important and unresolved issue, despite the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006. Norway continues to pursue all options to achieve lasting peace in the region, and is ready to contribute to an international peace keeping force.
NORAMB