UN says Sudan armed groups heeding polio vaccination truce

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2005

KHARTOUM (AFP) — A nationwide ceasefire in Sudan, called for by the United Nations to enable a polio vaccination campaign, is holding so far, UN envoy Jan Pronk said, urging the warring factions to maintain the truce.

"I am pleased that all Sudanese parties, including in Darfur, have responded favourably to the appeal I made to observe days of tranquility during the campaign," Pronk said.

"I am satisfied that they all kept their promises and I would like to thank them for their cooperation and call upon them to respect fully the ceasefire agreements in order to allow for completion of the campaign."

UN officials said that the innoculations, conducted as part of Africa-wide efforts against polio, had been "exceptionally successful" and reached more than 5...