SG/SM/6661
AFR/87

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RESUMPTION OF IGAD-SPONSORED PEACE TALKS ON SUDAN, CALLS ON PARTIES TO REDOUBLE EFFORTS FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the resumption, on 4 August, of the IGAD- sponsored peace talks on the Sudan in Addis Ababa and reiterates his full support for the peace process. He commends the two parties for agreeing to a three-month ceasefire on humanitarian grounds. He is concerned, however, that the situation in southern Sudan will worsen unless a negotiated agreement is concluded without further delay. The Secretary-General calls on the parties to redouble their efforts for a political solution and stands ready to contribute to those efforts, if requested by the parties and mediators.

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United Nations