EU urges all parties in Sudan to abide by ceasefire agreements

BRUSSELS, Nov 2, 2004 (Xinhua) — European Union (EU) foreign ministers at their meeting on Tuesday called on all parties in Sudan to strictly abide by the cessation of hostilities or ceasefire agreements to resolve the crisis in Darfur.

The ministers expressed grave concern over the security situation in parts of Darfur, and strongly condemned all attacks on civilians, in particular ongoing cases of rape.

They reiterated that those responsible at all levels will be held accountable for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

The 25-nation bloc reaffirmed its continued support to the African Union (AU) and, in particular, its readiness to provide assistance and expertise to the deployment of an expanded and pro- active monitoring mission in the Darfur region.

The EU has already agreed to contribute an amount of 80 million euros from the Africa Peace Facility to the expanded AU mission.

The conflict in Darfur, described by the UN as the world’s current worst humanitarian crisis, has left more than 10,000 people dead and one million others displaced since 20 months ago.