White House: Darfur rebels, Sudan govt, violated ceasefire

WASHINGTON, Dec 20, 2004 (AP) — The Bush administration expressed grave concern Monday about a recent increase in violence in Sudan’s Darfur region, accusing both sides of violating a cease fire.

Operations carried out by the government and government-supported militias “have caused untold suffering, displacing tens of thousands of people,” State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

At the same time, Boucher said rebel forces must also respect the cease-fire agreement and agreements governing the delivery of humanitarian relief.

“We urge both sides in the strongest terms to cooperate fully with international humanitarian efforts,” he said.

According to new U.S. estimates, at least 70,000 people in Darfur have died and 2 million have been displaced since fighting erupted almost two years ago.