Troika urges Sudan to create conducive environment for freedom of expression and political participation
The Troika made up of Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States has expressed its continued support for the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) peace process, led by former South African President, Thabo Mbeki.
In support of the AUHIP-brokered Roadmap Agreement signed by both the government of Sudan and the opposition, the Troika urges the signatories to honor the Agreement by concluding comprehensive cessations of hostilities and engaging in an inclusive political dialogue, according to a press release from the US State Department.
The government of Sudan must now create an environment that is conducive to freedom of expression and political participation by both armed and unarmed opposition in Sudan, the release said.
The Troika is also encouraged by the Sudanese government’s decision to accept the United States’ proposal to support humanitarian assistance to South Kordofan and Blue Nile states (the “Two Areas”), it also noted, adding, that the US proposal is intended to facilitate humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Two Areas, in line with AUHIP efforts for broader negotiated humanitarian access.
The Troika urges the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North to swiftly accept this proposal and facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance to those in need in the Two Areas, the release further indicated.
It observed that the ongoing unilateral ceasefires are a significant step toward peace throughout Sudan. However, in order to realize sustainable peace, all parties must engage in a political process, it added.
The Troika also encourages continued engagement by the armed movements from Darfur with the AUHIP peace process. We call on the Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdul Wahid Al Nur to cease hostilities and immediately engage with the AUHIP peace process.
The Troika additionally, urged the government of Sudan to make progress on addressing the root causes of the conflict.
By Pamela Ofori-Boateng
Copyright ©2017 by Creative Imaginations Publicity
All rights reserved. This news item or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in reviews.