Government withdraws from monitoring mission in Sudan

KHARTOUM, Oct. 12, 3002 (dpa) — The Sudanese government has removed its members from the International Commission overseeing a ceasefire agreement following rebel allegations that it planted a landmine, a JMC press release said Sunday.

Joint Military Commission (JMC) Commander J. E. Wilhelmsen approved the withdrawal, according to the statement.

Earlier this month, eight people were killed when a landmine exploded in Kauda – a rebel held area in the eastern part of the Sudanese Nuba Mountains region.

The incident forced observers to reduce their presence in Kauda. This is the second time JMC surrendered an area to the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA). An SPLA statement blamed the government for planting the landmine. JMC has established an investigative team.