Sudanese President Omar Hassan El Bashir attends a celebration marking the 54th anniversary of Sudan's independence and the fifth anniversary of signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, Jan. 3, 2010. Omar al-Bashir Sunday vowed to achieve comprehensive peace in Sudan, organize transparent and credible elections and conduct a free referendum on the self-determination for southern Sudan. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mabiber)

    KHARTOUM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir Sunday vowed to achieve comprehensive peace in Sudan, organize transparent and credible elections and conduct a free referendum on the self-determination for southern Sudan.

    He said "I pledge to achieve a comprehensive peace and find a durable settlement to the Darfur conflict through the Qatari-hosted negotiations, which are supported by the Arab League, the African Union and the international community."

    The Sudanese president made the remarks at a celebration on the 54th anniversary of Sudan's independence and the fifth anniversary of signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

    He said he hoped that the referendum on self-determination for southern Sudan, scheduled for January next year, would lead to a voluntary unity of his country.

    Meanwhile, the Sudanese president commended the two partners to the CPA, the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), and their ability to overcome differences.

    He said "We have managed to overcome the most difficult barriers and agreed on satisfactory solutions concerning endorsement of laws."

    Al-Bashir meanwhile urged the Sudanese people to work together for a better future for Sudan, noting that "our concern in this new year would focus on building confidence and enhancing the joint action for the interest of our country."

    Sudan won independence on Jan. 1, 1956. The Sudanese government of the NCP led by al-Bashir and the SPLM inked the CPA on Jan. 9, 2005, ending a 21-year-long civil war between northern and southern Sudan, according to which a referendum would be held in January, 2011 in the south to determine whether the area would break away from Sudan.