SUDAN'S OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

EDM number 453 in 2004-05, proposed by Hilton Dawson on 10/01/2005.

That this House celebrates the signing of a historic comprehensive peace agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and Army; recognises that this ends Sudan's 21 year civil war and introduces major protocols on power and wealth, strategic and regional development leading to elections in three years and a referendum on self-determination for the south in six years; congratulates all parties to the peace process, and in particular notes the painstaking, unsung diplomacy undertaken by UK personnel over many years; welcomes the UK Government's commitment to ú100 million of assistance to Sudan this year, including a ú50 million contribution to the UN's 2005 work plan for Sudan and Eastern Chad; remains gravely concerned about the conflict and gross human rights abuses occuring in Darfur and urges all sides and international partners to find a swift resolution based on the principles of the comprehensive peace agreement; hopes for the return of millions of refugees to their homes, and looks forward to the diverse people and cultures and huge resources of what is currently the largest country in Africa making a major contribution to peace and development across the continent as well as to all parts of Sudan.

This motion has been signed by a total of 77 MPs.