The U.S. Pressures the Sudanese Government to End 19-Year Civil War

The President of the United States has signed a law that pressures the Sudanese government to end the 19-year civil war. The Sudan Peace Act allows him to impose economic sanctions against the Khartoum government if it fails to engage in honest dialogue with rebel forces. Efforts to encourage the United Nations to impose economic sanctions and take steps to cut off oil revenues and loans from international financial institutions are among the sanctions. The Sudan Peace Act also condemns human rights violations by the Sudanese government. Meanwhile, Sudan has accused the rebels of violating a recent ceasefire agreement, claiming they attacked government soldiers in the disputed southern region of the country. Sudanese officials say rebel forces have clashed with government troops in several areas in recent days. If confirmed, these attacks would constitute a violation of the ceasefire agreement signed last Thursday between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army. However, it was not long before the rebels accused the Khartoum government of violating the agreement. On October 22, Sudan described the new U.S. law, which pressures the Khartoum government to negotiate with the rebels to end the 19-year civil war, as 'unjustifiable.' A senior Sudanese official said on Tuesday that the new law was enacted due to pressure from hostile elements towards Sudan. President Bush signed the Sudan Peace Act on Monday. This law gives the U.S. President the authority to impose economic sanctions against Sudan if it does not engage in good faith dialogue with the rebels fighting the central government. The Sudan People's Liberation Army, which is considered the main rebel group in Sudan, praised the new U.S. law and stated it would pressure the government to engage more seriously in dialogue.