UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese ambassador to the United Nations on Thursday asked the Security Council to review its sanctions regime on the Darfur region.
The situation that prevailed in 2005, when the sanctions regime was expanded to include Sudanese government forces in Darfur, has changed completely, Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, the ambassador, told the Security Council.
"I would even venture to say that the Sudan that you knew then is no longer the Sudan that you know today."
The various reports published on the situation in Sudan indicate that the Darfur sanctions regime is no longer necessary, he said.
Siddig noted that the Sudanese government has announced a definitive cease-fire valid throughout the country and has embarked on peace negotiations with the various armed groups.
He expressed the hope that the ongoing negotiations between the Sudanese government and the opposition in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, can pave the way for a comprehensive agreement that will lead to lasting peace and stability of Sudan.
"We hope, in the near future, the council will be able to review the sanctions regime imposed on Sudan so as to enable the Sudanese government to work in normal conditions in Darfur, and also pave the way for conducive conditions for development and reconstruction," said the ambassador.
The sanctions regime does have an impact on the Sudanese government's capacity to exercise control over the various regions of Darfur. Part of the various Sudanese security apparatus is facing many challenges with respect to irregular migration, people and weapons smuggling, and cross-border crime, he said.
The UN Security Council in July 2004 imposed an arms embargo on nongovernmental entities and individuals in various areas of Darfur after a war broke out between Sudanese government forces and the indigenous population. In March 2005, the council expanded the arms embargo to include Sudanese government forces active in the region, and imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on designated individuals.
