New York, 17 February 2009 -- The Secretary-General welcomes the "Agreement of goodwill and confidence-building for the settlement of the problem in Darfur" signed in Doha, Qatar, today by the Government of Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) under the auspices of the Government of Qatar and the African Union-United Nations Joint Chief Mediator Djibrill Bassole.

The Agreement represents a constructive step in the ongoing efforts to negotiate a peaceful conclusion to this long-running conflict. The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Sudan and JEM to move expeditiously to a cessation of hostilities and to a detailed and explicit agreement on the scope of comprehensive and inclusive talks.

The Secretary-General underscores that until the parties renounce hostilities, the situation in Darfur cannot improve. The Secretary-General further reiterates the determination of the United Nations to continue its mediation, peacekeeping and humanitarian work impartially, and to support the efforts of the parties to reach a political solution to the conflict in Darfur.

New York, 17 February 2009