Eritrean military delegation to monitor eastern Sudan ceasefire

Aug 3, 2006 (KASSALA) — An Eritrean military delegation led by the head of operations General Tehle Kefele has arrived in Kassala town in eastern Sudan to monitor the ceasefire signed between the regular army and the rebel Eastern Front.

The Eritrean delegation then held talks with the representatives of the Armed Forces led by head of the government’s military delegation for security arrangements, General Mohamed Abdelgader Naser Eddin.

The two sides reiterated the need to strengthen security and stability in the region and work towards ending wars. The head of the Eritrean military said he is happy with the progress of the negotiations on the eastern issue and stressed Asmara’s commitment to Sudan’s peace and stability.

Earlier in July, Sudanese army and eastern Sudan rebel group signed a military protocol to implement to ceasefire agreement signed on 27 June.

According to ceasefire accord, the cessation of hostilities obliges the two sides to desist from any movement from the places they had occupied prior to June 19, to designate army officers who would implement the agreement drawn from both of them and representatives of the Eritrean government in five stations that separates the two parties. This is to say the area around the Red Sea, Setit River, Barka River, Kerayit and Lafa towards facilitating the implementation of the peace process and stability of Sudan.

Eastern Sudan peace talks are scheduled to resume on 7 August.

(ST)