US affirms support for peace in Darfur

The US government has renewed its commitment to support all efforts that seek peace in Darfur, following a recent visit to the Sudanese region. A meeting was held in the capital of North Darfur, Al-Fashir, between head of Regional Authority for Darfur Tijani Cisse and Chargé d'Affaires in Sudan Joseph Stanford, accompanied by a delegation. The meeting reviewed the current situation in Darfur, focusing on security and humanitarian issues and the positive impact the signed agreement concerning oil production between Sudan and South Sudan has had in the region. The agreement, made in March, included a statement to cut support for armed groups, intended to help achieve peace and security in Darfur. The meeting briefly explored how to take advantage of international, Arab and African countries' grants to support programmes and projects which aid recovery in the region. In a statement, Cisse praised the efforts made by the US administration towards Sudan in general and Darfur in particular, adding a call to the international community to urge Darfur armed groups to agree to negotiations to achieve peace. Joseph Stanford also highlighted the importance of the visit, stressing that it was to confirm the goodwill of the US government towards the people of Darfur, and to stand with them in order to reach lasting peace and stability. An anonymous source told Arabstoday that the parties which met US Chargé d'affaires, asked him to send a clear message to his country that if it wants to play a positive role it should first lift the sanctions imposed on Sudan in 1997. The source added that a government official in the region asked Washington to take practical steps to prove its good intentions and its willingness to play a positive role towards the issues of peace in Sudan.