Press release 26 June 2008
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

New Swedish strategy for development assistance to Sudan

The Government today adopted Sweden's new strategy for development cooperation with Sudan for the period 2008-2011. The aim of the strategy is to contribute to peaceful development, respect for human rights, democratic governance, lasting reconciliation and national unity in Sudan.

The focus of Sweden's development cooperation with Sudan is to support the implementation of the overarching peace agreement that was reached in January 2005. Support is to be directed mainly towards the reconstruction of southern Sudan, but support will also be given to the implementation of the peace agreement in eastern Sudan.

Swedish support will target peace-building and democratisation, as well as improvements in social policy, with an emphasis on health and medical care. Support to Darfur has so far been primarily of a humanitarian nature. With this strategy, reconstruction in Darfur can quickly be initiated as soon as the security and political conditions allow.

"In several respects, the strategy is ground-breaking for Swedish development cooperation in conflict and post-conflict countries. The strategy has a flexibility allowing consideration to be given to developments on the ground. Moreover, it is clearly focused on strengthening women's participation in peace-building and reconstruction work, as well as in democratic decision-making processes," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

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The signing of the overarching peace agreement in January 2005 marked the end of more than twenty years of civil war between southern and northern Sudan. Much progress has been made in implementing the peace agreement, but a number of complex issues remain. These include, not least, preparations for general elections which, under the peace agreement, are to be held in 2009. Implementation of the peace agreement is crucial for a future solution to the conflict in Darfur as well. Developments in Darfur - with a deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation - remain a cause for concern.

Since 2005, Sweden has provided SEK 980 million in support of humanitarian operations and reconstruction in Sudan. This support is mainly channelled via multilateral institutions and organisations.