Sudan’s army reiterates readiness for permanent ceasefire

November 2, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – A senior military commander reiterated the commitment of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) to the unilateral ceasefire on all the battlefronts. However he expressed its readiness to deal with any contingency in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur where the government fighting the rebel movements.

The warring parties have declared unilateral cease fire last month, but the Sudan people’s liberation movement-North sector (SPLM-N) accused the government of violating the truce and reported fresh clashes SAF in the strategic area of Jebel Kolgo, south-west of Ed-Damazin, the capital of Blue Nile state .

Commander of the 14th infantry division in the capital of South Kordofan, Kadougli, Maj. Gen Yasir al-Atta, underscored that SAF is committed to the presidential decrees pertaining to the ceasefire in order to push forward the national dialogue to achieve peace.

Addressing a graduation ceremony in Kadugli on Sunday, al-Atta stressed the army readiness to repulse any attack. Further he called upon arms bearers to stop war and join the national dialogue process to resolve Sudan’s problems.

For his part, the governor of South Kordofan state Issa Adam Abakar praised SAF for adhering to the ceasefire to pave the way for the national dialogue.

Abakar further pointed to the efforts exerted by the 14th infantry division to maintain security and stability and achieve peace in the state.

He said that 2016 will be the ”year of peace” through the dialogue or it will be imposed by the army and the other security and regular forces.

Abakar added that his government seeks to achieve peace and implement development and services projects in the various localities of South Kordofan.

Last September, Bashir declared a two-month cessation of hostilities in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur. Later he expressed readiness to declare a permanent ceasefire, given that rebels show desire for achieving peace.

Also, the rebel umbrella Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) declared a six-month cessation of hostilities and expressed readiness to negotiate the details of this truce with the government ahead of peace talks.

Blue Nile and neighbouring South Kordofan states have been the scene of violent conflict between the SPLM-N and the Sudanese army since July 2011.

The Sudanese government and SPLM-N negotiating delegations failed to reach a cessation of hostilities agreement after a series of talks brokered by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in November 2014.

Since, the fighting between the warring parties resumed in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. The two sides will resume talks in Addis Ababa in mid-November.

(ST)