NAIROBI, November 18 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The United Nations Security Council on Thursday, November 18, agreed on the text of a resolution aimed at restoring peace in Sudan, as the two warring parties in the south pledged to reach a deal by the end of 2004.
"We just finished a discussion of the draft resolution and all 15 members of the council are in agreement so it will be adopted tomorrow," Council President John Danforth said after the first day of a special session of the Council in Nairobi, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
"I think it is a good balanced resolution...It is one that clearly recognizes the tragedy of Darfur and the fact that we have already passed two resolutions on this subject," added the American diplomat.
The resolution exhorts the international community to help in the reconstruction of a post-war Sudan.
"It is a resolution that is based on the belief that is almost universally accepted that the resolution of Naivasha is critical to the resolution of Darfur," Danforth said.
"Just as the previous resolutions painted a picture of what would happen if there is no answer in Darfur so this resolution paints a positive picture of what the parties could accomplish for their country if they bring peace to Sudan."
Written Pledges
Danforth said the main thrust of this new resolution and the reason for the rare Council meeting outside New York, was to pressure Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to cap two years of talks in the Kenyan town of Naivasha, with a comprehensive accord to end their 21-year-old war.
He told reporters that the Khartoum and the SPLM "have indicated that they will sign a memorandum of understanding tomorrow committing themselves to ... signing a peace agreement by the end of this year."
The US ambassador said the differences remaining between the two parties after two years of intense negotiations were limited to "almost a math problem" about which side pays for rebel fighters who do not join regular government forces after the peace settlement.
Addressing the Council meeting, SPLM leader John Garang said he was committed to the new year-end deadline.
"I see no reason, no serious obstacle, that would prevent us from signing the final peace agreement by the end of this year 2004," he said.
Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha also spoke of signing "as soon as possible."
On May 26, the two parties signed three crucial protocols on power-sharing and the administration of three disputed regions.
But a final deal is yet to be signed.
'Inappropriate' for Darfur
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told the special session there was "no time to waste" in ending the civil war in southern Sudan.
He stressed that the "speedy conclusion of the north-south talks" would serve as "a basis and a catalyst" for the resolution of the Darfur conflict.
However, Danforth said the Security Council meeting was not the right place to meet Darfur rebels.
"It’s not Abuja, this is not the appropriate place," he told reporters who asked about the absence of rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SPLM).
The Nigerian capital has been the venue for negotiations between the two rebel groups and the Khartoum government.
BBC News Online correspondent said diplomats remain divided about how any resolution should refer to Darfur in the council, with members such as China reluctant to put too much pressure on the Sudanese government.
The council has already passed two resolutions threatening to impose sanctions on Sudan's government if it does not disarm the militias in Darfur.
The United Nations describes the situation in Darfur as the world's worst current humanitarian crisis.