Foreign Minister Steinmeier welcomes Sudanese opposition's Berlin Declaration on National Dialogue
BERLIN, Germany, February 27, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On 25 and 26 February, representatives of Sudan's opposition and civil society gathered in Berlin to discuss the peace process in their country. Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin (26 February):
I welcome the willingness of the opposition to find a solution to Sudan's problems through a National Dialogue. The fighting in Sudan must come to an end, and people in the affected regions must finally be given the prospect of peace and stability.
I am glad about the successful outcome of the discussions held here in Berlin. The Berlin Declaration is an important step towards reconciliation in Sudan. There is greater hope now that the Government in Khartoum and the opposition will take up serious negotiations.
Background information:
The meeting of the Sudanese opposition and civil society was held in Berlin to discuss, above all, proposals for peacebuilding measures as part of the National Dialogue. Decisions taken include sending a delegation to Addis Ababa to take part in a National Dialogue preparatory meeting to negotiate with the Sudanese Government about further cooperation.
The meeting was organised by the Berghof Foundation and the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik – German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Both institutions have been tasked by the Federal Foreign Office to support peace mediation in Sudan.
Under African Union mediation, peace talks are being held with Sudanese armed rebels in Addis Ababa. These talks are being led by Thabo Mbeki and aim to bring about a ceasefire as well as humanitarian access to the conflict zones in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. In 2014, President Omar al Bashir invited all political forces to engage in a National Dialogue. Up until now, the opposition refused to join.
Germany supports AU mediator Thabo Mbeki in his efforts to bring the peace negotiations in Addis Ababa to a successful conclusion.
It will continue the dialogue with the Sudanese Government in order to support the peace process and bring about lasting reconciliation. In this context, Germany in particular supports the UN peace mission UNAMID in Darfur.