04 October 2005

(Calls on Sudanese government to halt attacks, hold perpetrators accountable)

The United States welcomes the African Union's prompt investigation and forceful and candid condemnation of the violence in Darfur and “strongly condemns” the upsurge in violence there by all parties, the U.S. State Department said October 4.

A written statement released to the press said, "We expect the Sudanese government to immediately halt attacks and stop the Jingaweit from perpetrating violence.”

The statement called the recent Jingaweit attack on the internally displaced persons' camp of Aro Sharow and the village of Gosmeina a “particularly heinous act” that “underscores the need for rapid action by the Sudanese government to stop” the raiders.

The statement also noted the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army attack on the village of Sheiria.  “Perpetrators of violence and atrocities must be held accountable,” it read.

Following is the text of the State Department statement:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
October 4, 2005

Statement by Sean McCormack, Spokesman

United States Condemns Violence In Darfur

The United States welcomes the African Union's prompt investigation, and forceful and candid condemnation of the violence in Darfur.  We have informed the African Union leadership of our unequivocal support for their efforts and to encourage the participants at the Peace and Security Council meeting on Wednesday to send a clear message to all the parties to stop the violence.

The United States strongly condemns the upsurge of violence in Darfur by all the parties.  We expect the Sudanese government to immediately halt attacks and to stop the jinjaweed from perpetrating violence.  The jinjaweed attack last week on the internally displaced persons' camp of Aro Sharow and the village of Gosmeina was a particularly heinous act and underscores the need for rapid action by Sudanese government to stop the jinjaweed.  At the same time, we note the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army attack on the village of Sheiria.  Perpetrators of violence and atrocities must be held accountable.  It is imperative that all the parties cooperate with the African Union.  However, the Sudanese government is ultimately responsible for the protection and safety of its citizens.

The parties must immediately stop all violence in Darfur, abide by the ceasefire they signed in N'djamena, Chad, and adhere to United Nations Security Council resolutions and the terms of the humanitarian and security protocols they signed earlier in Abuja, Nigeria.  They must support all humanitarian and African Union operations, and achieve a political settlement for Darfur by the end of the year through the peace talks in Abuja.

We remain firmly committed to the cause of peace in Sudan, including implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and resolution of the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Darfur.  Only through a political solution can a durable peace and reconciliation be achieved in Darfur.  Accomplishing this is essential in order to ensure a peaceful, prosperous, and unified future for all the Sudanese people.

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