(SV)

IGAD Extraordinary Summit acknowledged the progress made by the CPA partners in the implementation of the agreement, urging them to remain committed to full implementation of the outstanding issues.

In its Final communiqué issued in the one-day summit, IGAD welcomed the parties' commitment to commence negotiations on post referendum arrangements, and adopt shuttle diplomacy to nurture confidence building between the CPA parties.

As an indicator for the organization support to the timing of the upcoming elections as scheduled in April, the summit direct IGAD Secretariat “to operationalise the invitation to observe April 2010 general elections in Sudan and request observers team to take their posts by end of March”, said the communiqué.

US Envoy, General Scott Gration who took part in the summit expressed satisfaction towards the outcome.

Gration who met VP Taha on the sidelines of the summit declared US support to April election which he described as a major step for the people of Sudan, stressing on the necessity for the election to be conducted as free and fair.

Responding to journalists, US Envoy commended the CPA partners' efforts and expressed confidence that they will continue tackling the outstanding issues in a good faith, and will overcome difficulties.

Addressing the summit, VP Taha assured the gathering that the elections will be fair.

"We are confident that the elections will be fair, transparent and peaceful” he said.

Taha described the implementation record as impressive
"We have indeed gone a long way. Nonetheless what remain is vital and important” he added.

The summit convened under the chairmanship of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and was attended by Kenyan, Ugandan and Djibouti Presidents as well as delegations from AL, EU, and other western nations including US.
Gration confirmed US continuous positive involvement in Sudan's issues for the best of the Sudanese people.

On Doha talks US Envoy stressed on the necessity of the contribution of all parties to the peace-making process including JEM, other groups and civil society as well as the IDPs.

Dr. Mustafa Osman who attended the meeting between Gration and Taha, commended the positive role Gration is playing both to achieve peace in Darfur and in the CPA implementation.

"We are looking forward  that those efforts would continue to reach a comprehensive peace in Darfur" said Ismail in statement to SV.

"We further expect US positive involvement in Sudanese issues" He added.
On normalization of relations between Sudan and US, Ismail said that current relations are better than it was during  Bush Administration, but still US policy towards Sudan is not clear yet.

Ismail who is the head of the NCP Foreign Relations Secretariat added that they are finalizing a strategic paper on US/Sudan relations post transitional period which aimed at presenting an in-depth vision to the future  Sudan-US relations.