Bush signs bill approving $300 million for Sudan

WASHINGTON, Dec 23, 2004 (AP) — President Bush yesterday signed legislation that authorises $300 million to help victims of violence and support peace talks in the African nation of Sudan.

The bill, passed by the Senate in a voice vote on December 7, also encourages Bush to impose sanctions on Sudan’s government. The House passed the measure in November.

The United Nations has described violence in Sudan’s western Darfur region as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. A UN report issued earlier this month said 2.3 million people in the region need aid.

The violence started in February 2003 when two non-Arab African groups began a rebellion. The government responded by backing Arab militias who have been accused of killing and raping civilians. The United States says the militias have committed genocide.

The bill authorises $200 million in aid, including money for the deployment of more African peacekeepers in the region, and another $100 million as an incentive for reaching a final peace agreement in the 21-year war between the Sudanese government and the southern rebel group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. That conflict is separate from the Darfur violence.

The bill Bush signed authorises the money, but does not actually provide the funds. That money would have to come from a separate spending bill or by shifting of funds from other programmes.