SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES NEWS OF HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE IN SUDAN

Press Release
SG/SM/7091
AFR/163

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES NEWS OF HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE IN SUDAN

This is the text of a statement today by Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

I welcome the announcement made yesterday by the Government of Sudan declaring a comprehensive ceasefire throughout the Sudan for a period of 70 days which will "facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all areas in need" by road, air and river. A ceasefire is essential for the provision of much-needed humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, affected by the ongoing conflict.

I recall that the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) agreed on the extension of a humanitarian ceasefire for Bahr-El-Ghazal, western and central Upper Nile in mid-July. I call upon the SPLM to consider extending the scope of this ceasefire, and thus contribute to the creation of an enabling environment for humanitarian operations in the Sudan. I count on the continued support of the Government and the SPLM for the unhindered and safe provision by United Nations humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of relief to all those in need of humanitarian aid throughout the country.

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