On 9 January 2010, activists from around the world gathered to call international attention to the critical importance of the coming year - just 365 days - for Sudan.

The date marks the entry of the country into the final year of the interim period envisioned by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended decades of war between the northern dominated government and the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement in the South. This agreement promised democratic transformation and comprehensive peace in Sudan, but unfortunately violence has persisted as evidenced by the ongoing conflict in Darfur and intercommunal violence in the South.

This year several critical events will occur in Sudan, including national elections and finally the referendum which will decide whether Sudan will remain one state or whether the South will secede. It is clear that urgent action must be taken both at the national and the international level if Sudan is to chart its way through these events in such a way as to avoid renewed violence and build respect for democracy, rule of law and human rights.

Given this urgency, the following prominent human rights and political activist in Sudan wish to raise their voices in support of the international advocacy campaign Sudan 365. In particular, we call on the international community to :

• take urgent action to ensure support for the implementation of the CPA and the resolution of outstanding issues - particularly those which are likely to spark conflict; and
• undertake urgent efforts to end the massive human suffering in Darfur.

Signed:

Salih Mahmoud Mohamed Osman, human rights lawyer and MP Sudanese National Assembly
Farouk Abu Easa, MP Sudanese National Assembly

Dr Amin Meky Madani, human rights lawyer

Nabeel Adeeb, human rights lawyer
Joseph Modesto, former MP and community leader
Nimat Koko, human rights activist

Mahgoub Shareef,poet and human rights activist

Nor Alsadig, MP and human rights activist

Sara Nugdalla, political activist