US calls on Sudanese govt. to declare a ceasefire too

The US State Department has welcomed the Sudan Revolutionary Front’s (SRF) declaration of a six-month unilateral cessation of hostilities beginning on 21 October in Darfur and the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

“We urge the Government of Sudan to build on its own stated commitment by also declaring a unilateral cessation of hostilities for the same time period and covering the same areas,” John Kirby, spokesman for the US State Department said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We encourage both the Government of Sudan and the SRF to work under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel to translate their cessation of hostilities declarations into a sustainable end to Sudan’s conflicts, initially by ensuring a cessation of hostilities is properly monitored by a neutral third party.

“A cessation of hostilities will help facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Sudanese citizens affected by the conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile.”

“If respected by all parties to the conflict, a cessation of hostilities will help facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Sudanese citizens affected by the conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile. To that end, we call on both parties in conjunction with the UN to finalise the modalities by which humanitarian assistance will be delivered to people in need,” the statement reads.

“There is no military solution to Sudan’s conflicts. A true cessation of hostilities will contribute to a genuine dialogue to address the underlying causes of the armed conflicts that have plagued Sudan for far too long,” says Kirby.

“Further fighting only increases the suffering of the Sudanese people. The USA calls on all parties to the conflicts in Sudan to seize this opportunity to end the wars and begin a path towards lasting peace.”