Chairperson receives Foreign Minister of Sudan, H.E. Mr. Ali Karti

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Jean Ping, on 17 March 2011, in his office at AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, received the Foreign Minister of Sudan, Mr. Ali Karti, who briefed him on the latest developments in Sudan, including Darfur and post-referendum situation between North and South Sudan.

The Sudanese Foreign Minister expressed the appreciation of his Government for the important role played by the African Union in the search for a peaceful solution to the Darfur conflict and the post-referendum issues between North and South Sudan.

He further expressed the renewed commitment of the Sudanese Government to do everything in its power to facilitate the work of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), led by Former South African President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki.

Welcoming his guest, the Chairperson reiterated the determination of the AU to continue assisting the Sudanese parties to reach an agreement on all post-referendum issues necessary for the establishment of two viable and mutually supportive states.

With regard to Darfur, Dr. Ping reaffirmed the AU’s support for the ongoing preparations by the AUHIP and UNAMID to launch an inclusive Darfur Political Process (DPP) and emphasized the need for the Government of Sudan to ensure an enabling environment for the success of the process.

The Chairperson further expressed his renewed support for the efforts of the AUHIP and UNAMID towards the achievement of peace and stability in Sudan as a whole.

Dr. Ping and his guest exchanged views on several other issues, including recent developments in some North African countries.

The Sudanese Foreign Minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, which included Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the African Union, while on the AU side, the meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff in the Bureau of the Chairperson and his Deputy.

Addis Ababa, 17 March 2011