Sudanese government, rebels extend ceasefire by one more month

NAIVASHA, Kenya, March 24, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — The two negotiating parties, the government of Sudan and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – this evening signed an agreement to extend the cessation of hostilities agreement for another one month.

The accord to extend the truce until the end of April was signed by The head of the government delegation to the talks, Idris Mohamed Abd-al-Qadir Sulayman, signed on behalf of the government, while the head of the SPLM delegation to the talks, Nhial Deng Nhial, signed on behalf of the rebels.

It is worth mentioning that the cessation of hostilities agreement is renewed periodically with the consent of the two parties, as the agreement stipulates.

The cessation of hostilities accord will be promoted to a comprehensive cease-fire agreement once the details have been agreed upon as a prelude to arriving at a comprehensive peace agreement, God willing.

Taha and Garang, who resumed their fourth round of face-to-face talks on February 17, aimed at ending 21 years of devastating civil war, are currently focusing on the remaining issues on the status of three disputed regions — Abyei, Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile, as well as sharing of political and administrative power.

While they are not strictly part of south Sudan, the SPLA claims to represent the people of these areas.

Khartoum and the rebels have already signed on January 7, an agreement on a 50-50 split of the country’s wealth, particularly oil revenues.

In 2002, Khartoum and the SPLA concluded an agreement to grant the south the right to self-determination after a six-year transition period.

Last September, both sides reached a deal on transitional security, under which the government would withdraw its troops from the south.