NEWS RELEASES

April 12, 2005 (6:15 p.m. EDT)
No. 64

MINISTER PETTIGREW ENCOURAGED BY SENATOR JAFFER’S SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS AT OSLO CONFERENCE TO CONSOLIDATE PEACE IN SUDAN

Minister Pettigrew today announced that he is encouraged by the reported success of the Oslo Donors’ Conference, where the Canadian delegation was led by Canada’s Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan, Senator Mobina Jaffer. Senator Jaffer outlined Canada’s support for sustainable peace in Sudan.

Canada strongly urged the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) to carry through with the implementation of their peace agreement, which ended Africa’s longest civil war.

“Canada welcomes this historic opportunity to work with all the Sudanese people to bring about lasting peace in their country,” Minister Pettigrew said. “We applaud the efforts of the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A to work together to rebuild the south.”

The Oslo Donors’ Conference, hosted by the Government of Norway, was organized to build international diplomatic and financial support for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A on January 9, 2005. The international delegations, including Canada’s, are also urging both groups to work together in implementing the peace agreement.

In Oslo, Senator Jaffer said, “the international community has come together at this critical time and has pledged significant support to help consolidate the peace in Sudan. The Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A must follow through on their stated commitment to build a sustainable peace in Sudan.”

Canada, through the work of the Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan, has been playing a significant diplomatic role, working directly with the two parties to the conflict and members of the international community to bring about a peaceful settlement. The conflict has devastated millions of lives in southern Sudan.

At the Oslo Conference, Canada pledged an additional $90 million over this year and next to help consolidate the peace in Sudan. The pledge, which was made through the Canadian International Development Agency, brings the Canadian contribution to Sudan since 2000 to $180 million. These monies will go toward food and humanitarian aid as well as support for the peace processes. Canada is committed to continuing to work diplomatically with the parties to help them implement the peace agreement.

In addition, Canada has committed up to 31 Canadian Forces personnel to the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). For an initial period of six months, UNMIS will help implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the civil war in the southern region of Sudan. The UNMIS deployment will consist of troops and civilian police from around the world. A Canadian, Brigadier-General Greg Mitchell, will serve as Deputy Force Commander of UNMIS.

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