Sudanese army orders troops to observe cessation of hostilities : spokesperson

June 22, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on Wednesday said it has directed its troops in the Two Areas to observe a four-month cessation of hostilities declared by President Omer al-Bashir last week.

“The Armed Forces announces that it directed all its unity, formations and supporting forces to cease fire in the states of South Kordofan and the Blue Nile, in implementation of a decision by the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. It takes effect at 24.01 am on Saturday, June 18, 2016 for a four month period,” said a statement by SAF spokesperson Ahmed al-Shami.

Al-Shami further said the army will reserve the right to respond to any aggression on its positions or on its mobile units.

On Tuesday, the State Department welcomed the unilateral truce and called on Khartoum to extend it to Darfur region.

However, Sudanese official say they crushed the rebel groups in the western Sudan region and do not see any need for that.

Last April , the armed groups in Darfur and the two states issued a declaration of a six month cessation of hostilities and requested the African mediation panel to facilitate a meeting to discuss the details of a comprehensive cessation of hostilities.

(ST)