International and Arab nations welcome peace agreement in Sudan

Ahmed Adel

The Sudanese government’s agreement with the rebel movements on Monday, August 31, which was sponsored by the United Arab Emirates and put an end to a 17-year armed conflict, has been met with welcoming Arab and international reactions.

Arab support

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, in a statement to the League, welcomed the peace agreement on Darfur and the Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions that was signed between the Sudanese government and armed movements in Juba, South Sudan. He said that the Arab League remains committed to extending aid and coordination with all parties seeking peace in Sudan during the transitional period.

The UAE also welcomed the agreement. Emirati Ambassador to Sudan Hamad Al-Junaibi said on his official Twitter account that the peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the armed movements is a historic moment. He added that the UAE was keen on cementing peace in Sudan and worked to help accomplish this historic agreement.

Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reiterated its affirmation of the UAE’s complete solidarity with Sudan and its continuous support for enhancing the country’s security, stability, development and prosperity in a way that realizes the aspirations and hopes of the Sudanese people.

The ministry considered this agreement to be an important step on the road to enhancing the security, stability, sovereignty, independence and national unity of Sudan.

It also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Sudanese transitional government to achieve this historic achievement, calling on the rest of the conflicting parties to join the peace process.

For its part, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia praised the agreement, considering it an important step on the road to achieving the aspirations of the Sudanese people and their legitimate hopes for peace and development.

On Monday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement, saying, “The Kingdom commends the will and efforts of the transitional government and the armed struggle movements and that all parties gave priority to national interests to reach this agreement.”

Saudi Arabia also referred to the important mediation role undertaken by South Sudan in reaching this agreement, calling on the remaining parties of the conflict to join the peace process and not miss this historic opportunity.

Egypt additionally welcomed the peace agreement in Sudan, stressing stands by its southern brothers in their relentless efforts to achieve peace in a manner that would bring stability, benefits and prosperity to the Sudanese people.

Cairo expressed its readiness to continue its support for all efforts aimed at achieving stability in Sudan in coordination with various regional and international partners.

International reactions

At the international level, the United States, Britain and Norway welcomed the peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the Revolutionary Front, saying in a joint statement, “It is an important step to achieve stability in the country.”

“The agreement is an important step in restoring security, dignity and development to the populations of the conflict-affected and marginalized areas in Sudan. We believe that it is necessary for the agreement to be followed by efforts for peace and local reconciliation,” the three countries added.

Reshaping the future

With the signing of the peace agreement ending years of bloody conflict, the Sudanese hope to reshape their future after a long journey of more than a year during which the various parties were involved in negotiations sponsored by the African Union.

The transitional government and the armed movements signed the Darfur Path on seven protocols, with the exception of the security arrangements that will be signed at a later time. The protocols that were signed included items related to “politics, power, wealth, justice and accountability, compensation and reparations, nomads and shepherds, and land.”

The parties also reached understandings on the division of power, security arrangements, compensation for war victims, and other important issues.