NEWS RELEASES
November 10, 2004 (5:00 p.m. EST) No. 129
CANADA WELCOMES SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN
AGREEMENTS FOR DARFUR
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Cooperation Minister
Aileen Carroll today welcomed the signing of agreements on security and humanitarian
issues for Darfur, Sudan. The agreements guarantee aid agencies full access to this
western region, commit all parties to stop attacking civilians and assure full cooperation
with the African Union’s (AU) monitoring mission.
“These are significant developments,” said Minister Pettigrew. “This should encourage
all negotiators to quickly resolve outstanding issues in order to reach a peace
settlement. We continue to urge all parties in the negotiations to remain committed to
this process.”
The agreements were signed yesterday in Abuja, Nigeria, between the Government of
Sudan, the Sudan Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation
Movement/Sudan Liberation Army. Talks were mediated by the AU and the
Government of Chad. As Chair of the AU, the Government of Nigeria has hosted the
two rounds of negotiations that have taken place since August 2004. Canada is an
active participant as one of the few countries invited to the ongoing negotiations in
Abuja.
“These agreements should help create safer conditions throughout the region and will
allow humanitarian agencies to better respond to the urgent needs of the people of
Darfur,” Minister Carroll said.
The 20-month civil conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region has resulted in massive violations
of human rights and humanitarian law, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of
people. According to the UN, an estimated 1.45 million people are internally displaced
and some 200,000 have been forced into exile in neighbouring Chad.
The Government of Canada has for over 20 years worked to address Sudan’s
underlying political problems through vigorous diplomatic efforts. Prime Minister Paul
Martin will visit Khartoum, Sudan, on November 25 to meet with Sudanese President
Omar al-Bashir. The two leaders will discuss the conflicts in Sudan, including Darfur,
and measures by the Government of Sudan to restore peace.
Since 2003, Canada has contributed over $37 million in humanitarian assistance to
Sudan, protection for those affected by the conflict and support for peacebuilding
efforts. Canada is helping the AU mission by providing helicopter support as well as
expertise in the military planning process.
More information on Canada’s efforts to address the conflict in Sudan can be found on
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Web site,
http://www.international.gc.ca/africa/sudan-crisis-in-darfur-en.asp.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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