JOINT COMMUNIQUE
BETWEEN
THE GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN AND THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL TO SUDAN

3-6 September 2007

" Welcoming the important visit to the Republic of Sudan by H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the kind invitation of the Government of National Unity; stressing the significance of the visit in reinforcing the partnership between the Sudan and the United Nations on issues of peace, stability and development as it coincides also with the 51st anniversary of Sudan's membership to the United Nations Organization; affirming that the partnership is solidly premised on full respect to Sudan's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity;

" Welcoming the recent progress in the advancement of peace in Sudan, including the realization of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Darfur Peace Agreement and the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement;

" Welcoming on-going efforts towards implementation of the peace agreements, including the substantial progress in the implementation of the CPA on various tracks; the imminent launching of renewed peace talks for Darfur; the UN SC decision on and agreement by the United Nations, the African Union and the Sudan Government establishing a hybrid operation in Darfur ; along with the current operationalization of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement, where the UN is already assisting in disarmament and the consolidation of peace;

" Affirming that the C9omprehensive Peace Agreement, which brought an end to one of the longest-running conflicts in Africa, is a national achievement, providing the framework for power-sharing, wealth-sharing, and security which will underpin sustainable peace in the country; acknowledging that implementation has suffered some delays, and that several important issues remain pending; welcoming the partnership between the Parties to the CPA and their renewed commitment to jointly pursue the resolution of all pending issues;

" Recalling the Addis Ababa High Level Consultations of 16 November 2006 on a comprehensive approach to peace in Darfur, which stressed that the utmost priority be accorded to the political process; stressing the centrality of implementing the AU-UN Roadmap for the Darfur political process;

" Welcoming the contribution of the countries of the region, which have played a constructive role in enhancing the political process; recalling the agreements at the Tripoli meeting to converge all initiatives under the AU-UN umbrella and launch the second, pre-negotiation, phase of the Roadmap; welcoming in this regard the substantial progress made by the AU0UN Special Envoys during the Arusha consultations, where Darfur movements have come together on a common platform, affirming that a political solution is essential not just for the people of Darfur, but for the whole of Sudan;

" Emphasizing the importance of the timely and full implementation of SCR 1769 towards the consolidation of peace in Darfur;

" Concerned at the continuing humanitarian suffering and insecurity in Darfur; welcoming the progress in implementing the Joint Communique of 28 March 2007, signed between the UN and the Government of Sudan on the facilitation of humanitarian assistance in Darfur;

" Noting the mutual impact of conflicts in the region on respective countries, and encouraging the implementation of the Riyadh and Tripoli agreements and continued normalization of relations between Sudan and Chad towards voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced to their places of origin;

The Government of Sudan

Pledges to do its utmost to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in full, and to resolve all pending issues at the earliest time possible;

Renews its commitment to the protection of civilians and to the holding of free and fair national elections in Sudan in 2009, which will include the peoples of all parts of Sudan including Darfur;

Pledges to contribute positively to a secure environment for the negotiations; fulfilling its commitment to al full cessation of hostilities in Darfur, and agreed upon ceasefire;

Pledges to continue and intensify efforts to improve inter-communal relations and a harmonious social fabric in the country;

Pledges to prepare for and participate constructively in renewed negotiations on Darfur under the mediation of the AU and UN Special Envoys;

Affirms its intention to continue to work in partnership with the humanitarian community to ensure delivery of essential relief and recovery assistance to those in need, in line with the Joint Communique of March 2007;

Will work with the United Nations and the African Union to facilitate the timely deployment of the Hybrid Operation UNAMID, including by granting land for the construction of facilities for the operation along with facilitating all other logistical requirements.

The United Nations:

Commits itself, pursuant to relevant Security council resolutions, to continue to assist in the implementation of the CPA through the activities of UNMIS and the UN Country Team in Sudan;

Stands ready to offer additional assistance, within its mandate and as may be required to facilitate implementation of the CPA including resolution of the pending issues; noting in particular the importance for the peace process of early agreement on the 1956 boundary between North and South Sudan, and of full deployment of the Joint Integrated Units;
Pledges to do its utmost to support and assist the Parties in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, and the voluntary, safe and dignified return or resettlement of those displaced by conflict, in addition to mine action;

Welcomes the decision to issue invitations from the Secretary General and Chairperson of the AU Commission for the renewed peace talks on 27 October 2007 at Libya, and expresses hope that the parties will co-operate fully with the AU and UN special Envoys in order to ensure that negotiations are concluded as expeditiously as possible;

Pledges to do its utmost, together with the African Union and co-operation with the Government of Sudan, to deploy the Hybrid Operation in a timely fashion in support of peace consolidation in Darfur;

Pledges to continue to promote the consolidation of peace and long term development in the Sudan, by supporting, inter alia, the sustainable development of natural resources, especially water resources addressing the impact of climate change and environmental degradation, encouraging donors to fulfil their commitments; pledging to intensify the activities of the UN and its programmes in the Sudan towards socio-economic development and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.