For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 26, 2004
Statement on the President Welcoming the Africa Union's Efforts to bring a Lasting Solution in Darfur
President Bush welcomes the African Union's efforts to bring a lasting
solution to the Darfur conflict by sponsoring political talks between
the Government of Sudan and the Darfur rebels in Abuja, Nigeria. The
Abuja talks began on August 23, and we understand that the parties to
the conflict are participating at senior levels without preconditions.
We strongly urge the participants to build on the cease-fire agreement
to create a just resolution to the conflict that will ultimately allow
the displaced to return to their homes safely and with dignity.
The President commends the African Union's deployment of cease-fire
monitors and a protection force to Darfur. We welcome the deployment
of 155 Rwandan troops to El-Fasher, Darfur and the commitment to deploy
approximately 150 Nigerian troops by August 30. We hope this will help
improve security and create conditions in which humanitarian assistance
can be more effectively provided to the Sudanese people.
As the United States has said before, the Government of Sudan must
halt all Jinjaweed violence and hold accountable those responsible for
human rights violations. All parties, including the Darfur rebels,
must respect the cease-fire and allow the free movement of humanitarian
workers and supplies.
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