Release International

As Sudan wrestles with the crisis in Darfur, its north-south peace deal appears to be in jeopardy, according to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

In a report to the UN Security Council, Mr Annan pointed out that major commitments made in January 2005 have yet to become reality. And he criticised the Sudanese government for blocking imports and failing to pass important legislation, Reuters reports.

In particular, Mr Annan drew attention to the fact that a commission set up to share Sudan's oil revenue fairly is not functioning properly. There has been little progress towards disarming fighters and setting up a human rights commission, says the BBC. And election planning is way behind schedule.

The UN's own work in trying to rebuild Sudan has been severely hampered, Mr Annan claimed. Its peacekeepers have been denied access to the contented oil-rich region of Abyei, while UN equipment and rations have been barred by customs. A UN radio station set up to promote peace across Sudan has not been allowed to broadcast in the north.

Mr Annan said that the future of the north-south deal depended on the resolution of the situation in Darfur, which has reached a critical point.

• Pray that the Sudanese government in Khartoum and the southern administration would commit themselves afresh to consolidating peace across Sudan.
• Pray for a breakthrough in peace negotiations over Darfur so that this appalling tragedy will end and no longer threaten the political stability of the nation.

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