Showing posts with label EU SR for Sudan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EU SR for Sudan. Show all posts

Monday, October 19, 2009

EU's Sudan Envoy Torben Brylle argues peace will pay

The European Union's special representative for Sudan, Torben Brylle, says that the financial benefits of peace make a key argument for ending fighting in southern Sudan.   Mr Brylle says the resource-rich south has a considerable need for investment and development.

On the conflict between the government and groups in Darfur, Brylle expressed optimism that all sides can be brought together for negotiations by mid-November. In particular, he said he hopes civilian representatives might influence local leaders.

The EU envoy cautioned that time is not on the side of diplomacy.

EU Special Rep. for Sudan, Torben Brylle

Photo: EU Special Rep. for Sudan, Torben Brylle, was optimistic on peace prospects in remarks at Arab League HQ, Cairo, 15 Oct 2009

EU's Sudan Envoy Argues Peace Will Pay
By Elizabeth Arrott
Cairo, Egypt
15 October 2009. Excerpt:
Arab League HQ in Cairo

Photo: Arab League HQ in Cairo, Egypt, 15 Oct 2009

Brylle spoke at Arab League headquarters in Cairo, where diplomats are trying to stem a surge in civilian violence in the region, awash in weapons after the end of a decades-long civil war.

"It is evident that people are looking forward to having the peace dividend as a reality in their lives," he said. "You remember that a comprehensive peace agreement stipulates that everybody should work to make unity attractive in Sudan, and part of that process was of course to also provide for people a change in their livelihood," said Brylle. [...]

On the conflict between the government and groups in Darfur, Brylle expressed optimism that all sides can be brought together for negotiations by mid-November. In particular, he said he hopes civilian representatives might influence local leaders.

"There is a responsibility and there is impatience at least among the people on the ground in Darfur and a call for them to exercise leadership in terms of coming into an agreement with the government. That does not take away the responsibility of the government to enter that process, but it has to be done."

The EU envoy cautioned that time is not on the side of diplomacy.