G-8 Statement on Sudan

The G-8’s statement regarding Darfur reflects the grave concerns of the international community about the humanitarian crisis there and underscores the urgent need to resolve it. The United States has been outspoken on Darfur. We believe that the Government of Sudan is responsible for the humanitarian crisis and ethnic cleansing occurring there. While all the parties to the ceasefire must end the violence and allow unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need, the Government holds the additional responsibility of reversing the effects of the ethnic cleansing by supporting the voluntary return home of all displaced persons under conditions in which their security is assured.

The United States fully supports the G-8 pledge to assist the peace process and provide humanitarian aid to those in need. We look to the parties, both in the north-south agreement and in Darfur, to work to bring about peace throughout Sudan. We call on the international community and the Government of Sudan to hold accountable perpetrators of gross human rights violations in Darfur.