Darfur Peace Process must be Sustainable say Liberal Democrats

2.30.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 10th May 2006

Commenting on the Darfur Peace Agreement announcement, Susan Kramer MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow International Development Secretary, said:

"This is a positive step but we are in a desperate situation with increasing violence, lawlessness and displacement. Over the last four months two hundred thousand people have been driven from their homes and over half a million are in critical need of immediate humanitarian assistance.

"This political agreement will be of limited value unless donor countries fulfil their pledges, an expanded well resourced peace-keeping force is put in place and the Sudanese Government cooperates in full."

Malcolm Bruce MP, Chair of the International Development Select Committee added:

"I welcome the news of the Peace Agreement reached in Abuja and congratulate the African Union, DfID and their partners for all their hard work on what has been a long and difficult process.

"Recent history shows that what is now needed is an assurance from the Sudanese Government that not only will these new objectives be met, but that they will help create the conditions for the people of Darfur to return to their homes and to prevent a return to the cycle of violence."

ENDS