Other State Department Archive Sites

The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released online from January 1, 1997 to January 20, 2001. Please see www.state.gov for current material from the Department of State. Or visit http://2001-2009.state.gov for information from that period. Archive sites are not updated, so external links may no longer function. Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
January 21, 1999

Sudan Ceasefire Extension

The United States welcomes the agreement by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the Government of Sudan to extend until April 15, 1999 a humanitarian ceasefire in Bahr el Ghazal province, the area most affected by starvation and malnutrition over the past year. Ambassador Tom Vraalsen, the UN Special Envoy for Humanitarian Issues in Sudan, deserves special praise for his key role in brokering the extension. We urge the Government of Sudan and the SPLM to ensure that all forces under their control abide by the ceasefire.

The ceasefire, in place since July 15 of last year, has been crucial in permitting the delivery of relief supplies to the victims of the devastating famine. Although the number of people dying from hunger and malnutrition has dropped significantly, relief organizations estimate that current high levels of assistance will be necessary until at least October 1999. We urge the Government of Sudan and the SPLM, therefore, to extend the ceasefire in Bahr el Ghazal beyond April 15.

Although vital, extension of the ceasefire is only a first step. The cycle of humanitarian disasters is likely to continue unless the Government of Sudan and the SPLM demonstrate the necessary political resolve to end the 15-year civil war.

[end of document]