Secretary-General welcomes signing of ceasefire agreement in Sudan

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes today’s signing of a humanitarian ceasefire agreement between the Government of Sudan, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).  He trusts this agreement will result in an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to attacks against civilians, as well as full humanitarian access to all people in need of assistance and protection.  He wishes to thank the President of Chad, Idriss Deby, for his personal leadership, which was crucial to the progress achieved in the talks.  The Secretary-General encourages the parties to pursue efforts for a sustainable solution to the problem in Darfur.

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