Forum for Supporters of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement Participants' Statement

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

June 23, 2009




Following is the statement issued by participants at the conclusion of the Forum for Supporters of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, held June 23, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

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Thirty-three countries and organizations, representing the witnesses and other international supporters of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), met in Washington on 23 June 2009 to renew their commitment to the CPA, noting the substantial progress that has already been made by the parties to the Agreement, and reiterating the short time remaining in the Interim Period and the need to urgently address outstanding implementation issues. They reaffirmed their fundamental support to lasting peace, stability, security and prosperity in Sudan through full implementation of the CPA. Participants particularly underlined the responsibility of the parties to fulfill their obligations under the Agreement.


The meeting, hosted by the United States Government and attended by the two parties to the Agreement, included plenary and panel discussions focusing on political development and governance; security enhancement; and transition assistance and economic development.


The participants:

Underscored the fundamental importance of the CPA, signed 9 January 2005, for Sudan as a whole and stressed the primary responsibility of the parties to implement the Agreement in good faith and in a timely fashion;


Underlined the importance of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC), with the participation of the signatories and the active support of the international community, in monitoring the implementation of the Agreement, and urged the parties to make better use of all CPA mechanisms;


Reaffirmed their commitment to the core principle of the CPA to make the unity of Sudan attractive through a process of democratic transformation, decentralization, and accelerated economic development, while reaffirming the right of the people of South Sudan to self-determination in an internationally-monitored referendum;


Recommitted themselves to the pledge, made by the signatories of and witnesses to the CPA and reaffirmed in Oslo and Paris in 2005, 2006, and 2008, to avail resources for the necessary and urgent programs and activities of the transition to peace;

Emphasized the importance of credible, peaceful and transparent nationwide elections in Sudan in line with the National Electoral Commission’s ti####ble of February 2010 and legitimate popular consultations in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States, and committed themselves to providing appropriate support;


Expressed their firm commitment to a free and credible referendum on self-determination in South Sudan and a free and fair referendum in Abyei that should occur no later than January 9, 2011, and committed themselves to support the outcome of such referenda;


Looked forward to the final and binding decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in determining the boundaries of the Abyei Area, and reiterated their commitment to support the parties in implementing the decision;


Pledged to provide the full cooperation and necessary support to ensure that the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and all other international peacekeeping operations in the region are able to fulfill their mandates as provided by Security Council Resolutions, to assist the parties in implementing the CPA, and to contribute to improving the security and stability of the Sudan;

Committed to renew their provision of assistance to complete the redeployment of forces as called for by the CPA and urged the parties to take steps to reduce tensions in border areas;


Committed to increase efforts to support the parties to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate troops, including through contributions to the reintegration process, and urged the parties to commence discussions on proportional downsizing as called for by the CPA;

Declared support for a comprehensive program of capacity enhancement, especially in the South and other war-affected areas, including reconstruction and development assistance, making full use of existing, appropriate coordination mechanisms, such as the Sudan Consortium;


Agreed to create joint action plans to operationalize and implement the renewed commitments made today; and

Committed to reconvene regularly, and making good use of existing fora, to ensure that commitments made by the parties and the international partners and supporters of the CPA are implemented fully, including coordination with the AEC and other CPA mechanisms, as well as with UNMIS.


Washington, D.C.
June 23, 2009

Quote: The participants: Underscored the fundamental importance of the CPA, signed 9 January 2005, for Sudan as a whole and stressed the primary responsibility of the parties to implement the Agreement in good faith and in a timely fashion;

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