SPLM Position on Darfur and Eastern Sudan

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000901

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SU
SUBJECT: SPLM Position on Darfur and Eastern Sudan

REF: Khartoum 00849


1. During its April 2-5 Interim Political Bureau meeting
in Rumbek, the SPLM discussed a number of issues
(reftel). Aside from its Final Communique, the SPLM also
issued a formal position paper on Darfur and the East.
In essence, the SPLM holds that both Darfur and the East
involve legitimate political grievances that the GoNU
should address, and that a ceasefire and confidence-
building measures are key to lasting peace in both
regions of the country.


2. The document is as follows:

(Begin text)

SPLM position on Darfur and Eastern Sudan

In its inaugural meeting in Rumbek, the Interim Political
Bureau (IPB) of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement
(SPLM) discussed the conflict in Darfur and the situation
in Eastern Sudan and their internal and external
ramifications. Conscious of its responsibilities as a
major partner in the Government of National Unity (GoNU)
and aware of the international and regional
responsibilities of Sudan as a member of the UN and the
AU, the SPLM IPB:

-- Recognizes that the problems of Darfur and Eastern
Sudan are essentially political and that the people of
Darfur and Eastern Sudan have genuine grievances.

-- Resolves that the GoNU should give urgent, immediate
and undivided attention to the peaceful settlement of the
conflicts in Darfur and Eastern Sudan, so that peace
becomes comprehensive and all-embracing.

-- Commits itself to continue working with National
Congress Party (NCP) on a joint and common position on
Darfur in order to achieve a just and sustainable peace
in Darfur

-- Believes that the resolution of the conflict in Darfur
requires the unity of all Darfurian movements and
undertakes to initiate open and direct dialogue with all
those movements with the aim of achieving peace,
reconciliation and unity.

-- Endorses regional contacts undertaken by its Chairman
with a view to engage regional players in the resolution
of Sudanese conflicts and normalization of relations with
neighbours. In that context it encourages the initiative
of its Chairman to engage the Eritrean Government and the
Eastern Front to set up a mutually acceptable negotiating
forum in Asmara with the involvement of the Libyan
Government.

-- Supports and expresses appreciation of the decision
taken on March 10th by the AU Peace and Security Council
in giving the attainment of peace in Darfur the priority
it deserves.

-- Maintains that the CPA offers a reasonable framework
for the resolution of the problem in Eastern Sudan.

-- Calls on all parties to the conflict to refrain from
the use of inflammatory, derisive or intimidating
language that is prejudicial to peace and instead seek to
build confidence based on mutual respect especially at
the negotiations fora.

-- Further calls on all parties to respect the
humanitarian cease-fire agreements and protocols and
provide a peaceful environment conducive to the effective
delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection of
civilian life.

-- Urges all parties to commit themselves to cessation of
hostilities and to conclude the Enhanced Ceasefire
Modalities tabled by the mediators at Abuja Talks.

April 5
Rumbek, Lakes State
Southern Sudan

(End text)

STEINFELD