Press Statement on Sudan by President of Security Council

Following is today’s statement to the press on the Sudan by Security Council President Abdallah Baali (Algeria):

The Security Council members held consultations on the situation in the Sudan.  They are deeply concerned at the serious degradation of the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur and at the repeated violations of the ceasefire.

They condemned these violations of the ceasefire, as well as the shooting at the African Union helicopter.  They call on the parties to abide by the ceasefire accord and by the security humanitarian protocols they signed in Abuja.

They reiterate their full support to the African Union efforts and to the Union mission in Darfur and call for an expeditious and full deployment of the African force and, in this regard, invite the Secretariat to consider further steps to galvanize and facilitate the rapid deployment of said force.  They remind all parties of their obligations to fully support and cooperate with the African Union mission in Darfur.

The Security Council calls on both parties when they resume their talks in January 2005 in Abuja to show the required political will in order to achieve a political agreement without delay.

The Security Council recalls its previous resolutions on the Sudan.

The Security Council is actively monitoring the situation and, in this regard, expresses it readiness to consider a full range of options to exercise pressure on the parties to ensure full compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The Security Council recognizes the important role of the Secretary-General and his special representative for the Sudan.

The Security Council deplores the targeting of Save the Children workers and reiterates its call to all parties to allow unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance and invites the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to increase its efforts and activities in Darfur.

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