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 You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > 2003 > October 
Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 22, 2003


Sudan Peace Act Presidential Determination

2003/1077

Consistent with section 6(b)(1)(A) of the Sudan Peace Act (Public Law 107-245), as enacted into law on October 21, 2002, the President has determined and certified that the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement are negotiating in good faith and that negotiations should continue.

The President has made this determination and certification on the basis of the following considerations:

  • The parties have continued negotiations since April, including five rounds of talks in which many of the outstanding issues such as power sharing, wealth sharing, and the three conflict areas were constructively discussed.
  • There has been high-level engagement in the peace talks between Sudanese Vice President Taha and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Chairman John Garang.
  • On September 25, 2003 the parties signed an agreement on security arrangements in Naivasha, Kenya.
  • The mediators and international observers continue to support the peace negotiations.
  • We believe that the parties are close to a final agreement. However, if no comprehensive agreement is in place by January 21, 2004, and in furtherance of our efforts to keep Congress informed, the President intends to provide an assessment of the parties’ participation in and commitment to the peace process.

In addition it should also be noted that the situation with respect to humanitarian access has improved dramatically in southern Sudan since October 2002. At the same time, access to significant populations in need of assistance outside of southern Sudan remains limited.

Released on October 22, 2003

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