Statement by H.E. Mr. Ichiro Aisawa
Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
On the occasion of the Oslo Donors' Conference on Sudan 2005
April 11, 2005
Kingdom of Norway, Oslo
Madam Chairperson,
First of all, I would like to commend the Government of Norway for its initiative in convening this conference aimed at broadening international support for the steady implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement following its conclusion, as well as for its support throughout the negotiations process between the North and South in Sudan. I would also like to thank the United Nations and the World Bank for putting forth the assistance plans for Sudan to recover from the aftermath of the tragic civil war.
Madam Chairperson,
Japan has strenuously been tackling the issues of peace and development in Africa with great sincerity, based on its conviction that there will be no stability and prosperity in the world unless the issues of Africa are resolved. Japan, as a democratic country and the world's second largest economic power, deems it as fulfilling its responsibility as well as meeting the expectation of the world toward it, to continuously support the African people in their efforts to achieving prosperity and well-being. Japan has vigorously supported African countries in their self-help efforts for development through the TICAD (Tokyo International Conference for the African Development) process over the past 10 years, and takes particular pride in having contributed to the establishment of NEPAD, the New Partnership for Africa's Development. On the occasion of the Okinawa G8 Summit in 2000, Japan invited heads of state from Africa to the Summit to engage in a dialogue with the G8 leaders for the first time in the history of the summit. This is a manifestation of Japan's firm commitment to the development of Africa. I am greatly delighted to note therefore that the dialogue between Africa and the G8 has become an established practice since then and has taken place at every G8 Summit. Japan will play a more active role in addressing the issue of development in Africa as we approach the Gleneagles Summit of this year, which will take up this issue as one of its major agenda items.
Madam Chairperson,
It gives me great pleasure that, at a time when the international community is intensifying its interest in Africa, a historic peace agreement has been concluded in Sudan, the largest country in Africa, thus bringing to an end the longest civil war on the continent which lasted for more than 20 years. I am confident that peace in Sudan will significantly contribute to the stability of the Middle East and Africa. I myself visited Sudan last December when the peace talks were entering a crucial stage. I met with the leaders of the Sudanese government, including President Bashir, to encourage them to move quickly to achieve a peace agreement. Here, as a friend of Sudan, I would like to reiterate my deepest appreciation for the courageous decision made by the parties concerned, which led to conclusion of the peace talks. I would also like to commend the efforts made by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the other parties, including the Government of Kenya, which supported the peace talks. Last month, I received in Japan the Joint National Transition Team (JNTT), which included Mr. Yahia Hussein and Mr. Pagan Amum, and I had candid exchanges of views with them on the issue of "consolidation of peace" in Sudan. I was profoundly impressed to see the representatives from both sides, North and South, sitting side by side and talking about the issues in one voice. This symbolized the advent of a new era in the history of Sudan.
Madam Chairperson,
Sudan is a country with plentiful natural resources and a high potential for development. I strongly hope, following the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, that Sudanese people unite themselves to consolidate the peace and demonstrate their firm commitment to achieving national reconciliation and reconstruction, thereby fully realizing their country's potential for further development. The international community needs to be united to mobilize their collective support for these efforts. It is Japan's belief that all the Sudanese people should have an opportunity to share in the peace dividend in order to consolidate the peace. Based on this conviction, Japan intends to provide vigorous assistance for "consolidation of peace" to both the North and the South, giving higher priority to the most urgently-needed programs. Specifically, Japan, for the near term, will provide a package of assistance totaling $100 million, aiming at "consolidation of peace" in Sudan. I seize this opportunity to stress upon the following three points regarding the Japan's future policy about its assistance to Sudan.
First, Japan will assist new projects for consolidation of peace in Sudan, mainly based on the "UN 2005 Work Plan for Sudan," such as mine clearance and return and reintegration of the refugees and the displaced. Moreover, Japan will finance the UN project for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants (DDR), following its successful experiences of DDR in Afghanistan. In addition, Japan will support the recovery and rehabilitation process in Sudan by offering assistance, including technical cooperation for human resources development. Japan has already provided emergency assistance for demining activities in the South Sudan through the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), in order to solve the serious landmine problem that poses a threat to the return of refugees and internally displaced persons as well as to donors' humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. On top of these new projects, Japan intends to continuously intensify its support for human security by meeting essential needs in areas such as water and sanitation, basic health and medical services, and food supply. Japan is also exploring the possibility of extending assistance to Sudan through the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF).
Second, Japan intends to provide assistance in a seamless and coherent manner, beginning with emergency humanitarian assistance in the immediate aftermath of the conflict, followed by recovery, and rehabilitation assistance. For that purpose, Japan will dispatch a governmental survey mission to the region shortly to formulate specific bilateral assistance projects, in addition to providing "follow-up support" for grant-aid projects including the "Project of Ibn Sina Hospital." As a first step, we will host a seminar on international cooperation in late May in Japan, by inviting officials from both the North and South, focusing on support for capacity-building is the field of development assistance. In addition, we will seek the possibility of debt relief for Sudan.
Third, a UN peacekeeping operation is expected to play an important role in consolidating the peace in the region. With the adoption of the Security Council Resolution 1590 regarding the establishment of a peacekeeping mission, Japan is now working to determine what would be the most suitable form of cooperation to offer to the peacekeeping mission in Sudan, taking into account the results of the survey conducted by the Japanese fact-finding mission.
Madam Chairperson,
I take this opportunity to briefly touch upon Japan's view and position on the situation in Darfur. My government remains gravely concerned over the continuing serious humanitarian situation in Darfur. Japan has extended assistance in the amount of $21 million for the improvement of the humanitarian situation in the region. We strongly hope that all the parties will fully comply with their serious commitment to the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the various agreements for the resolution of the conflict, and that they will make their vigorous efforts towards advancing the peace talks. It is desirable that African issues be resolved by Africa. Thus, we highly appreciate the leading role taken by the African Union in the efforts to resolve the Darfur crisis. It is essential for the international community to support the role of the African Union. With this in mind, last month, Japan provided to the AU assistance of approximately $2 million, which included procurement of vehicles for the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS). We are confident that the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement between the North and the South will have a positive impact on developments in the Darfur issue as well.
Madam Chairperson,
Let me conclude by reiterating my high appreciation for the courageous decision by both the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to achieve the comprehensive peace agreement. I sincerely hope that the consolidation of peace will be achieved as early as possible with the broad support from the international community.
Thank you for your kind attention.
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