DARFUR IN PERSPECTIVE
By Professor David Hoile
Published by The European - Sudanese Public Affairs Council
Appendix 7
JOINT
COMMUNIQUE FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE MINISTRY
OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS ON THE FACILITATION
OF HUMANITARIAN ACCESS TO DARFUR
Khartoum, 20 May 2004
In fulfilment of its responsibilities and obligations toward its citizens and to ensure their
well-being, and in adherence with the protocol on humanitarian access and the ceasefire
agreement, both signed in N'Djamena, Chad in April 2004, the Government of Sudan
recognizes the crucial need for immediate humanitarian assistance in the region and is
determined to alleviate the suffering that has resulted as a byproduct of the war. This is
one of the steps the Government is taking to enable the citizens of Darfur to return to
their homes in time to prepare and plant their crops before the commencement of the
rainy season. In efforts to facilitate the expected influx of assistance from various groups
and partners, the Government of Sudan has decided the following:
1 To grant aid workers from various organizations, including the U.N., Red
Cross, and NGOs, direct entry visas from Sudan missions abroad within forty-eight
hours of application. The visas will be valid for three months.
2 To suspend the current system of travel permits required for travel to Darfur
for three months. In its place the Government will require only that the aid workers have
entry visas and provide the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with their names and
itineraries.
3 To keep working on facilitating other procedures that will guarantee the
delivery of the equipment and supplies needed for humanitarian work in Darfur.
4 These procedures will be effective Monday, May 24, 2004.
5 For more details references can be made to the Ministry of Humanitarian
Affairs.
Based on the Government’s open-ended vision to guarantee and facilitate humanitarian
efforts, the Government calls on the African Union to prompt the deployment of the
Cease-Fire Monitoring Team to Darfur. The presence of the Cease-Fire Monitoring
Team will guarantee the flow of humanitarian aid and contribute to reinstating stability
to the region. The Government also calls on the displaced persons and citizens of Darfur
to return to their regions; the Government is committed to the Ministry of the Interior’s
security plan that guarantees their protection and security.
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