The United States has welcomed the signing of a 45-day, renewable humanitarian cease-fire in the Darfur region of Sudan, according to the State Department. The cease-fire agreement, signed in N'Djamena, Chad, on April 8, allows for external monitors and unimpeded humanitarian access to Darfur, the State Department said.

The agreement calls upon all parties to "neutralize the armed militias," according to the State Department, which stressed that this provision requires the Sudanese government to halt the violence and atrocities committed by the government-supported Jingaweit militias.

"We will work with the parties and will maintain pressure to ensure that the humanitarian cease-fire agreement is fully implemented, that there is unrestricted humanitarian access to all needy populations, and that the monitoring arrangements are quickly put into place," the State Department said.

Department of State
Press Statement
Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 9, 2004

Signing of the Darfur Humanitarian Cease-fire

The United States welcomes the humanitarian cease-fire signed in N'Djamena, Chad, on April 8. This agreement is a crucial first step toward ending atrocities and reversing the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. The United States urges the parties to cooperate to implement the cease-fire immediately and to facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid.

The agreement provides for a 45-day cease-fire between the Government of Sudan, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, and the Sudan Justice and Equality Movement. It is automatically renewable and contains provisions allowing for external monitors and unimpeded humanitarian access. All parties agreed to "neutralize the armed militias." This refers to the government-supported Jingaweit militias that have been brutalizing the local population. We have made clear to the Government of Sudan that we expect it to take immediate steps to stop the violence and atrocities being perpetrated by the Jingaweit militias.

The United States was intensively involved in the discussions in N'Djamena, and we are encouraged by the progress that has been made. We intend to keep the situation in Darfur under intense review. We will use all appropriate means and will cooperate fully with the international community to obtain precise information regarding what is happening on the ground throughout the implementation process. We will work with the parties and will maintain pressure to ensure that the humanitarian cease-fire agreement is fully implemented, that there is unrestricted humanitarian access to all needy populations, and that the monitoring arrangements are quickly put into place.

The United States thanks the Government of Chad for generously hosting the negotiations and welcomes the helpful role played by the European Union, the African Union, and the United Nations, who also participated.