Mr. President, today marks the four-year anniversary of the signing of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which brought an end to the tragic North-South civil war that raged for over two decades; a war frankly that for a long time seemed virtually endless. We should keep the CPA in mind as we lament the horrific suffering that endures in eastern Congo, Darfur, Somalia and Zimbabwe. I am hopeful that 2009 will be a year in which we make significant progress toward peace in all of these countries and that the United States plays an active role in that progress. The CPA is a remarkable testament to the fact that transformation is possible in even the most seemingly intractable conflicts when there is political will. I am proud of the critical role the United States played in bringing about this historic agreement four years ago, and it is a testament to the hard work of Special Envoy Jack Danforth and the leadership of President Bush.

Nevertheless, the CPA is not merely about a piece of paper or a moment in history, but a commitment to secure lasting peace throughout Sudan. Unfortunately, this process remains unfinished and increasingly fragile, as evidenced by the clashes that broke out in the oil-rich Abyei region last May. Several flashpoints in the states of South Kordofan, Jonglei and Blue Nile remain highly volatile. There remain too many arms and armed actors in these areas that are capable of undermining the agreement. Both sides, anticipating future clashes, are spending increased resources to build up their militaries. It is not difficult to imagine a minor incident causing renewed fighting in these areas, which could quickly plunge the North and the South back into full-scale war. Such a scenario would not only be devastating for the Sudanese, but could have dramatic repercussions for the wider region. 

With elections under the CPA scheduled for this year, 2009 may well be a watershed year for Sudan. The United States must renew and intensify its support for the implementation of the CPA as part of a comprehensive strategy for Sudan. We must continue to demonstrate, both in terms of our diplomacy and resources, a commitment to rebuild southern Sudan’s institutions and support the approaching elections. Simultaneously, we must work with our international partners to ensure that the UN Mission in Sudan, UNMIS, is doing all it can to monitor and keep the peace in Sudan’s flashpoints. I am confident that the Obama Administration understands the importance of implementing the CPA and will bring bold leadership and a holistic vision to peace efforts in Sudan.

Finally, we cannot ignore how the continued violence and humanitarian crisis in Darfur is a deep stain on the vision of a peaceful Sudan. Efforts at peacebuilding in Sudan will prove futile without a workable political solution for Darfur. Too often in the past, we have made the mistake of focusing on one region of Sudan at the expense of others. This kind of piecemeal approach has proven limited, if not counterproductive at times. In this critical year ahead, we need a comprehensive approach that can pave the way for lasting peace and stability for all of Sudan. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Obama Administration to make that a reality.