"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] G8 Summit Statement on Sudan/Darfur (G8 Heiligendamm Summit)

[Place] Heiligendamm
[Date] June 8, 2007
[Source] Heiligendamm Summit Official Site
[Notes]
[Full text]

1. We, Heads of State and Government of the G8, gathered in Heiligendamm, express our deep concern that the situation in Sudan continues to be marked by conflict and strife. While the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of January 2005 has led to an end of hostilities in the South, a persistent delay in the implementation of crucial elements of the agreement is threatening to undermine efforts aimed at creating a united, peaceful, and prosperous Sudan based on the rule of law. We call upon the parties to redouble their efforts to implement the agreement in good faith.

2. We are deeply concerned about the tragic security and humanitarian situation in Darfur. In this context, we deplore the bombings carried out by the Government of Sudan in North Darfur in April and May as well as the attacks by the rebel factions on AMIS personnel, and urge all sides to abide by the existing ceasefire agreements as well as their obligations established by UN Security Council resolution 1591. Those violating the human rights of civilians in Darfur must be held responsible and we will support efforts to bring the perpetrators of atrocities to justice.

3. We reiterate our appeal to the Government of Sudan and the rebel movements to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those affected by the conflict and stress the need, for all parties, to respect international humanitarian law. We welcome the Joint Communique on Facilitation of Humanitarian Activities in Darfur of 28 March 2007 of the Government of Sudan and the United Nations and call for its full implementation. We reiterate our commitment to continue to provide humanitarian assistance and will undertake, in coordination with the African Union and the United Nations, to identify options for improving humanitarian access.

4. We underline that there is no military solution to the conflict in Darfur and fully support the efforts of the Special Envoys of the United Nations and the African Union to bring the parties to the negotiation table in order to reach a political agreement. We welcome the Tripoli Consensus of 29 April 2007 stipulating that all regional and international efforts to this end shall be coordinated under the leadership of the Special Envoys and call on the Government of Sudan and rebel movements to engage fully in the political process.

5. Agreeing on the primacy of a political solution for the conflict in Darfur, we stress the need for an improved security situation in order to create an enabling environment for negotiations and humanitarian access. In this context, we welcome the acceptance by the Government of Sudan of the UN heavy support package for AMIS and call upon the UN, the AU and the Government of Sudan to ensure its speedy deployment. We also reiterate our commitment to support AMIS in the rapid transition to the AU/UN hybrid mission and urge other international partners to do the same.

6. We look forward to the visit to Khartoum by the UN Security Council, planned for 17 June. We urge the Government of Sudan to take this critical opportunity to express its full acceptance of the Hybrid Operation.

7. The conflict in Darfur threatens peace and security in the wider region. We express our concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Chad and the Central African Republic and call upon the governments of Chad and Sudan to honour their recently confirmed commitments to halt support to armed movements and to work toward improving their relations.

8. We remain deeply committed to resolve the Darfur crisis. If the government of Sudan or the rebel movements continue to fail to meet their obligations, we will support appropriate action in the Security Council.