U N I T E D  N A T I O N S
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Integrated Regional Information Network
for Central and Eastern Africa

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[The weekly roundup is based on IRIN daily updates and other
relevant information from UN agencies, NGOs, governments,
donors and the media. IRIN issues these reports for the benefit of
the humanitarian community, but accepts no responsibility as to the
accuracy of the original sources.]

Central and Eastern Africa: IRIN Weekly Round-up 31-98 covering
the period 24-30 July 1998

[excerpts concerning Sudan]

SUDAN: US minister urges pressure on Khartoum government  US
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Susan Rice called
on her government to put more pressure on the Sudanese
authorities to change their policies. Addressing a joint hearing of
two House International Relations subcommittees, she noted
USAID was providing US $4 million in development assistance to
areas administered by Sudanese opposition groups, AP reported.
"Too many Sudanese are going hungry largely because of
indefensible government policies," she said. "We must continue our
broader policy of pressuring (Sudan) to change fundamentally its
behaviour." 

Rice also said the US was considering delivering US $3.85 million
worth of non-lethal defensive military assistance to Uganda this
year to help it combat rebel insurgencies, particularly
"Sudanese-sponsored aggression". "We are concerned that the
(Ugandan) government's military response may not be enough," she
said. "To date, it has not succeeded in eliminating the (Lord's
Resistance Army) rebels." 

No progress in government-SPLA talks, say rebels 

Talks between government and rebel SPLA representatives in
Rome last week made no progress, according to an SPLA
spokesman in Cairo. AFP quoted the spokesman, Yasser Arman, as
saying the talks dealt with re-establishing peace but the lack of
progress "confirms that peace in Sudan will be difficult while an
Islamic regime is in power". 

WFP issues urgent appeal for help

WFP has issued an urgent appeal to the international donor
community to increase its funding and "prevent all-out famine" in
Sudan. In a news release on Monday, the UN agency said it needed
extra funds to expand emergency food aid deliveries to victims of
war and drought in south Sudan. It cited unofficial reports as saying
up to 80 people were dying daily of malnutrition in Wau, capital of
Bahr al-Ghazal state. WFP estimated costs until April 1999 at US
$154.5 million and said pledges received so far amounted to 40
percent of the total. 

Floods make 5,000 homeless

One person was killed and 5,000 are reported homeless after
flooding in the western al-Fashir area, Khartoum news reports said.
Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur state, was hit by torrential
rain over the weekend. An emergency relief commission has
reportedly been formed and general mobilisation declared in the
state. High-level government officials flew to the area to supervise
the relief operation, according to the reports. 

Peace talks open in Addis next week

The next round of peace talks between the government and rebel
SPLA, mediated by the Inter-Governmental Authority on
Development (IGAD), is due to be held on 4-6 August in the
Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Sudanese radio quoted an adviser
to the president, Ahmad al-Tahir Hamdum, who said the talks
would focus on relations between the state and religion, and the
right to self-determination. 

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Funding provided by: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
7/31/98   5:40 PM