US encouraged by Darfur truce, but will watch for implementation

WASHINGTON, April 8 (AFP) — The United States said it was “encouraged” by a ceasefire agreement between Sudan’s government and rebels from the western Darfur region but stressed that the pact must be fully implemented if it is to help end the crisis there.

“The United States will be watching very closely to see that action on the ground is taken in accordance with the agreement,” said Lou Fintor, a State Department spokesman.

“We are encouraged by progress the parties have made in the last 24 hours,” he said, adding that Washington remained gravely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Darfur.

Under the terms of the deal signed in Chad, the parties have agreed to cease hostilities within 72 hours, for a renewable period of 45 days.

They also agreed to guarantee safe passage for humanitarian aid to the stricken region, to free prisoners of war and to disarm militias who have been blamed for much of the violence.

Both sides have committed themselves to meeting again within 15 days in Ndjamena for new negotiations over political issues.

About 670,000 people have been displaced by the conflict inside Sudan and a further 100,000 have fled across the border into eastern Chad. About 10,000 people died in one year.