USA welcomes govt.’s ceasefire in Darfur

In a statement on Saturday, the US Department of State welcomed the announcement by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that all Sudanese forces have been instructed to cease offensive operations in Darfur.

On 29 and 30 June, US Special Envoy Donald Booth visited Khartoum and engaged with government officials on a range of issues, including the political negotiations to end the conflicts, the National Dialogue, and implementation of a cessation of hostilities. He also met with the leadership of Unamid on how to support its efforts to protect civilians and achieve a sustainable end to conflict in Darfur.

In the statement, the USA recognises Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour’s June 29 call for reconciliation in Sudan, his government’s stated commitment to rebuilding Darfur after more than a decade of war, and his remarks about the negative impact the conflict has had on the lives and living conditions of the Sudanese people.

“The USA welcomes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' announcement of a unilateral ceasefire in Darfur on 30 June, which follows the Government of Sudan’s recent declaration of a unilateral cessation of hostilities in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The United States also welcomes the Humanitarian Aid Commission’s 29 June pledge to enhance cooperation and coordination with UN organisations and international NGOs.

“Implementation of these commitments would be an important step toward achieving peace in all of Sudan.

“We call on Sudan to ensure that humanitarian assistance is able to reach all populations in need throughout Sudan,” the statement concludes. “There is no military solution to Sudan’s conflicts. As such, the United States also calls on all armed groups in and outside of Sudan to sign the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) roadmap and enter into peaceful political negotiations with the Government of Sudan.”