Bern, Press releases, 11.01.2011

The people of Southern Sudan are voting this week on the question of whether they wish to secede or remain part of Sudan. At the same time, negotiations are in progress on how the Northern and Southern parts of the country are to co-exist following the referendum: either as one nation or as neighbouring countries.

As a result of the mediation efforts of Switzerland and other actors, in 2002 the North and the South of Sudan signed a ceasefire agreement at the Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne. This provided the basis for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in 2005, and brought, after 22 years of armed conflict, an end to the second civil war in Sudan. Since then, Switzerland, as a neutral party to promote peace, has supported the two negotiating parties in their efforts to reach a lasting peace. At the request of both parties, for some months, Switzerland has been providing technical expertise to the current post-referendum negotiations. Further background information on the political situation in Sudan and Switzerland’s commitment is available on the FDFA website.


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