[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 1 (Monday, January 14, 2008)]
[Page 39]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Efforts To Achieve Lasting Peace in Sudan

January 8, 2008

    Tomorrow marks the third anniversary of the signing of the 
comprehensive peace agreement in Sudan, which ended 21 years of civil 
war in that country. I am proud of the role the United States played in 
achieving that historic result. I remain committed to assisting both 
sides with the rigorous and complete implementation of all aspects of 
the agreement. While much progress has been made in forming a Government 
of National Unity, sharing wealth, and respecting a cessation of 
hostilities, many challenges remain to the agreement's full 
implementation. Every effort should be made to ensure that a nationwide 
census is immediately conducted to allow national elections to be held 
on time next year. The work of Sudan's border commission also must be 
reinvigorated, along with efforts to redeploy troops away from disputed 
border areas to reduce the chances of a return to violence. The 
comprehensive peace agreement laid the groundwork for lasting peace and 
unity for all of Sudan, and its vigorous application will continue to 
underpin U.S. involvement across Sudan.
    I have asked my new Special Envoy for Sudan, Ambassador Richard 
Williamson, to continue the United States strong involvement on north-
south issues to help find solutions to these challenges. Ambassador 
Williamson is also charged with advancing efforts to end the violence in 
Darfur. I am deeply troubled that innocent civilians continue to fall 
victim to the scourge of Government and rebel-led attacks in Darfur. I 
remain firmly committed to the rapid deployment of an effective 
peacekeeping force, coupled with serious political dialog between the 
parties, to help end the crisis and the suffering of the innocent people 
of Darfur.