BY DANIEL IDONOR
ABUJA—President Goodluck Jonathan, Tuesday, assured the government and people of Sudan of Nigeria’s continued support for the peace process in that country, saying peace was central to freedom and development the world over.

He stated this when he received the outgoing Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Award Mursi Taha, at State House, Abuja.

President Jonathan said while terrorism was a global challenge, countries all over the world must work together to bring all threats to peace under control to engender development.

He noted that the Sudanese peace process formed part of his discussions with President Obama in Washington recently, where they both expressed commitment to ensuring peace in post-war Sudan.

President Jonathan commended political leaders in the African nation for their efforts in the peace process, adding that he would hold further discussions with President Omar al-Bashir later this month at the AU summit in Malabo.

Taha, on behalf of his government, strongly condemned the recent bomb attack on the Police Headquarters and other acts of terrorism in Nigeria, saying Sudan  was in supports of all efforts by President Jonathan to track the perpetrators and bring them to book.

Citing the 2006 Abuja peace accord, he thanked President Jonathan for Nigeria’s leading role in promoting peace and shaping the political process in post-war Sudan, saying “we immensely appreciate the sacrifices of Nigerian soldiers to ensuring peace in my country.”

He expressed hope that relations between Nigeria and Sudan will be further strengthened with the establishment of a bi-national commission later this year.