United Nations

SC/8050
     AFR/883
                                                                                                                         5 April 2004

Press Statement on Darfur, Sudan, by Security Council President

NEW YORK, 2 April (UN Headquarters) -- The following press statement on Darfur, Sudan, was delivered today by Security Council President Gunter Pleuger (Germany):

The Security Council was briefed today on the humanitarian situation in the Darfur region of the Sudan by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland.

The members have expressed their deep concern about the massive humanitarian crisis.

Council members call on the parties concerned to fully cooperate in order to address the grave situation prevailing in this region, to ensure the protection of civilians, and to facilitate humanitarian access to the affected population.

Council members welcome the negotiations taking place in N’Djamena under the auspices of Chad and the African Union and with the support of the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, and call on the Government of the Sudan and opposition groups to conclude a humanitarian ceasefire and to reach a political settlement to the dispute.

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