Sudanese government, rebels extend ceasefire ahead of peace talks
NAIROBI, Nov 28 (AFP) — The Sudanese government and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) rebels on Friday signed an agreement extending an ongoing ceasefire by two months, two days before peace talks resume in Kenya, a senior mediator said.
“We have now extended the cessation of hostilities for two more months,” said regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) chief mediator Lazaro Sumbeiywo during a signing ceremony between SPLA spokesman Samson Kwaje and Sudanese ambassador to Kenya Ali Abdelrehman Nimeri.
“It is because we anticipate that we will have a comprehensive peace agreement by the end of the year. That is why we are signing for two months and not the traditional three months,” Sumbeiywo said.
“We hope to have a complete ceasefire by the end of January,” he said, adding that IGAD has managed to deploy the Verification and Monitoring Team (VMT) in areas that were prone of attacks.
The ceasefire, which was renewed for three months last September, was due to expire on November 30.
The chief mediator said he had received reports of two violations from both sides, but investigations could not establish the veracity of the accusations involving troop movements.
“It is important that whenever we sign an agreement, it is implemented,” Sumbeiywo told both sides, but commended them for having managed to “maintain the cessation of hostilities in the Sudan.”
Nimeri and Kwaje welcomed the extension and pledged their commitment to reach a final peace settlement by the end of the year.
“We are in a stage of preparing for peace,” Nimeri said.
The SPLA rebels have fought Khartoum forces since 1983 to end domination of the mainly Christian and animist south by the Arabised Muslim north.
The war has killed at least 1.5 million people and displaced more than four million others.
Both sides are due to resume peace talks in Kenya from November 30, amid heightened expectations and repeated promises that a final peace accord will be reached by the end of the year.
“From Sunday, high-level political delegation from both sides will meet to discuss the outstanding issues, power and wealth-sharing, and the three conflict region of Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei — to prepare options for the principals to make decisions,” Sumbeiywo said.
Sudanese First Vice President Ali Osman Taha and SPLA chief John Garang are expected to join the talks on December 5.