Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes ceasefire declaration

1 Dec 2008

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes ceasefire declaration

12 November 2008 -- The Secretary-General welcomes President Omar al-Bashir’s declaration of an immediate ceasefire between the Government of Sudan and the armed movements in Darfur as well as the intention by the Government of Sudan to disarm all the militias.

The Secretary-General stresses that the effectiveness of any ceasefire depends upon all parties demonstrating their commitment to a cessation of hostilities, particularly since past efforts to uphold a ceasefire in Darfur were not successful.

He further emphasizes that the international community continues to have high expectations that the Government of Sudan and the rebel movements will make concrete progress towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

(Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General)