Sudan's top diplomat in Washington calls for international community to call for measures against those who attempt to undercut Darfur peace accord

Sudan's top diplomat in Washington, Khidir H Ahmed, denounced the leaders of the JEM and a dissident faction of the SLA for rejecting the Darfur Peace Agreement agreement on Friday, Washington Times/CFD reported today:

"If they continue to balk at supporting the peace accord, we hope that the international community, particularly those in the US who called for peace and justice, will condemn them and call for measures against those groups and individuals that will attempt to undercutting the peace accord," Mr Khidir said. "Their refusal to participate is clearly an attempt to punish the victims in Darfur."

Mr Khidir noted that the government and the SLA made concessions to reach the deal after days of nonstop diplomacy by Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick.

Khidir, in a statement this week, thanked Mr Zoellick, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Mr Bush for their efforts to promote peace in his country. He said their "constructive engagement" contributed "a great deal to this significant achievement, and our people will remain grateful for that."

Mr Khidir added that the next test is the implementation of the agreement.

"We hope that responsible individuals in the US will demonstrate the same zeal in supporting the implementation of the peace agreement, bolstering the African Union mission in Darfur, funding food aid and other assistance projects and condemning those who refuse to support the peace process, as they did when they criticised my government and promoted actions that regularly undercut peace and reconciliation in Sudan," he said.

[Well said. Let's hope Khartoum and its Janjaweed will not undercut the peace accord either]

May 12 2006 VOA Analysts Are Skeptical About Darfur Peace Accord