UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Friday welcomed the initiative of holding a comprehensive national dialogue in Sudan to achieve sustainable peace as well as the progress being made by Sudanese stakeholders to prepare for this process.
He welcomed in particular the signing of "an agreement between representatives of the G7+7 Preparatory Committee for the National Dialogue and the Paris Declaration Group, comprising the National Umma Party and the armed movements," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesperson.
While congratulating the concerned parties on this achievement, Ban encouraged "all stakeholders, particularly the government, to ensure the creation of a conducive environment for an inclusive, transparent and credible dialogue as envisaged in the signed agreement."
"This includes a cessation of hostilities, guarantees of political freedoms, including the freedom of speech and assembly, the release of political detainees and other confidence-building measures," he said.
The UN chief stressed that a fully-inclusive, free and transparent dialogue is critical to address the root causes of the recurrent crises in Sudan and achieve sustainable peace.
He also commended the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel for its tireless efforts in helping the Sudanese find a peaceful solution to the conflicts in Sudan and reiterated the continued support of the United Nations to this process.
According to reports, delegations of Sudan's national dialogue committee and oppositions on Thursday signed an agreement on the national dialogue and constitutional process with the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Sudan has been long plagued by rifts and conflict between the army and various rebel movements -- especially in the country's restive southern and western regions.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir vowed last November to end all armed clashes and conflicts in all parts of Sudan by the end of 2014. In January, al-Bashir invited the nation's political forces to engage in a round of national dialogue.