PAN AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIRTY FORUM CALLING FOR A JUST AND LASTING PEACE IN THE SUDAN

The Pan African Conference of Civil Society Organization with representation from Kenya, Uganda Tanzania, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Botswana, Benin, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Ghana, Togo, Angola, Burundi, Cote D'Ivore, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe and Mauritius having met in Nairobi between 8th - 11th January 2002 are deeply disturbed and concerned with the Government of Kenya's recent decision through its minister of energy, Mr. Raila Odinga to purchase oil from the Sudan Government.

Human rights and civil groups have evidently documented that oil exploitation by the Sudanese Government is directly fuelling the war in Sudan. The Sudanese Government is using oil revenues to buy more arms to ruthlessly kill more people and to forcibly depopulate indigenous groups who live around the oil fields in order to clear the way for oil exploitation. The Sudan conflict, Africa's longest running dispute has contributed to the loss of at least 2.9 million lives, the oppressed people of South Sudan, Nuba Mountains and South Blue Nile continue to suffer from marginalization policies and other different forms of discrimination. Oil should be a source of equitable development and justice in any country, however, in the case of Sudan it is causing deplorable human rights violations and helping to prolong the war.

Thus, we, hereby strongly condemn the Government of Kenya's decision. The Kenya Government, being the chair of IGAD Council of Minister (which is mediating the peace talks for Sudan) is dedicated by morel obligation not to be a factor in fuelling the war.

The Pan African Civil Society hereby compassionately and strong calls upon all African nations to call for the suspension of any further oil exploitation until a just and lasting peace is reached in the Sudan. We urgently insist on African nations to facilitate for all Sudanese warring parties to resolve the conflict and to immediately stop further blood shedding in the Sudan.

Nairobi, 11th January 2002

Signed by:

No. Name Country Signature Date