'A million could die' in Sudan

2004-03-03 10:39

Washington - The United States on Tuesday presented a series of measures to try to resolve the conflict in the Darfour region of western Sudan, putting one million people "at imminent risk" of their lives.

US State Department spokesperson Richard Boucher expressed "grave concerns" about a deepening humanitarian crisis due to a "lack of civil order, refusal of local as well as national authorities to permit unrestricted access" to humanitarian workers.

The crisis is also affecting neighbouring Chad, said Boucher.

"These have put as many as one million people at imminent risk of life and livelihood. Particularly threatening are the actions of government-supported militias who continue to attack and burn undefended villages," he said.

Washington, condemning the Sudanese government's failure so far to respond to US proposals calling for better humanitarian access to the region, outlined four measures it wants to see adopted by Sudan and rebel leaders:

to ensure the safety and "unhindered" movement of aid workers;

to enter immediately into negotiations toward a ceasefire;

to facilitate rapid free movement of parties' representatives to the negotiations' site;

and for them to "act decisively and transparently" to disarm and bring under responsible authority all the irregular forces and militias.

- AFP