International Development Minister to visit Sudan on 14-21 February

The purpose of the visit is to discuss the implementation of the recently signed peace
agreement between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation
Movement/Army (SPLM/A). The visit is part of the preparations for the donor conference for
Sudan, which Norway will hold in April this year. Minister of International Development
Hilde F. Johnson will also visit Darfur to examine the humanitarian situation in the conflictridden
province.
On 14 and 15 February, the Minister will have meetings in Khartoum with Sudan’s Vice
President, Ali Osman Taha, Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail and other representatives
of the government. She will also meet the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General
for Sudan, Jan Pronk, representatives of various UN organisations and NGOs and opposition
politicians.
On 16 and 17 February, Ms Johnson will travel to Darfur, where she will visit the Kalma and
Zalingey refugee camps.
On 18 and 20 February, the Minister will travel to Rumbek in South Sudan, where she will
meet the Chairman of the SPLM, John Garang, and other SPLM leaders. She will also meet
UN representatives, visit various development programmes, and discuss the establishment of
the new regional government in the south of the country and the return of refugees, amongst
other issues.
Press contact person: Information Adviser Odd Naustdal, tel. +47 911 49 490