By unanimously adopting their draft resolutions on peace in the Sudan, the United Nations Security Council meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, November 18-19, 2004, failed to impose trade or any other sanctions on the Sudanese government, even after several humanitarian and civil society organizations in the country accused it of sponsoring militia raids in refugee camps in the troubled Darfur region.

At the same time, the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) claimed the government had broken the peace agreement brokered in Naivasha, Kenya.

The resolution adopted by the Security Council only demanded, for the umpteenth time, that the government, rebel forces and all other armed groups immediately cease violent attacks, refrain from forcible relocation of civilians and cooperate with humanitarian relief and monitoring efforts.

The Security Council resolution S/2004/903 "strongly supports the decision by the African Union to increase its mission in Darfur to 3320 ,urges member states to provide the required equipment, logistical and financial and calls upon rebel groups in Darfur to cooperate with the AU force."

The Security Council did not, however, pledge any immediate support for the AU mission, or outline any punitive measures to be taken against any party that breaks the peace accord.

In conclusion the resolution demanded that "the parties declare their commitment to expeditiously complete the negotiations and sign a comprehensive Peace agreement not later than December 31, 2004."

On November 18, 2204, SPLA leader John Garang had complained to the council that the Sudanese government was threatening to unilaterally implement the Naivasha protocol in a selective manner.

"We therefore call upon the security council to pass a specific resolution& that inter alia recognizes and endorses the six protocols signed thus far as binding and irrevocable&," Garang told the Security Council.