Statement Attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Sudan - the swearing in of the Government of National Unity

The United Nations Mission in Sudan will do its utmost to support the new Government of National Unity as it addresses the enormous challenges of establishing a durable peace and bringing economic development and reconstruction to Sudan after decades of civil war.

The Secretary-General also notes that, as the new Government begins its work, the parties to the conflict in Darfur have convened in Abuja where they have been brought together by the African Union, to negotiate an end to the terrible conflict that has caused so much suffering in that troubled region. The Secretary-General calls on participants in the Abuja negotiations to apply themselves fully to bring an end to the suffering of the people of Darfur by reaching an agreement during this round of talks and by the end of this year.