NEWS RELEASES
December 21, 2004 (12:30 p.m. EST)
No. 154
CANADA SUPPORTS AFRICAN UNION POSITION
ON DARFUR CONFLICT
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today confirmed Canada’s full support for a
statement made by the African Union (AU) on December 18 concerning the
AU-sponsored peace talks on Darfur.
AU Chair Alpha Oumar Konaré highlighted the significant deterioration in the security
situation in Darfur. He also condemned the actions of all parties, in particular the recent
military offensive by the Government of Sudan, which has intensified the conflict in
Darfur. The AU has threatened to suspend the peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria, if the
parties do not withdraw to their previous positions immediately and negotiate in good
faith.
“I fully endorse the statement made by the Chair of the African Union,” said Minister
Pettigrew. “The military offensives, especially those by the Government of Sudan and
the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM), contradict recent United Nations Security
Council resolutions and the security protocols signed in November. In particular, the
offensive staged by the Government of Sudan represents a disproportionate and
inappropriate response to the cease-fire violations by the SLM. Both parties must
respect their obligations under existing protocols and resolutions, and withdraw their
forces to their previous positions,” he added.
Prime Minister Paul Martin today telephoned Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to
convey Canada’s position. Mr. Martin emphasized his concern about an attack on an
AU monitoring mission helicopter last weekend by as yet undetermined parties.
Canada’s Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan, Senator Mobina Jaffer, also expressed
concerns to the Chair of the AU Peace and Security Council that the actions of the
parties threaten the viability of the AU-led peace talks in Abuja, which she describes as
the only viable forum for such talks.
The 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 visited Khartoum, Sudan, on November 25 to meet with Sudanese
President al-Bashir. The two leaders discussed 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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