GoS-SPLM/A: MOU on cessation of hostilities is once more extended

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM/SPLA) and the Government of Sudan (GOS) have renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cessation of Hostilities for further three months from 1st September to 30th November 2004. As it will be recalled the purpose of the MOU is to create and maintain a conducive atmosphere throughout the negotiations until all the outstanding issues are resolved.

As of date, nearly all the root causes of conflict and violence in Sudan have been adequately addressed through the six protocols namely: the Machakos Protocol dated 20th July 2002; Agreement on Security Arrangements during the Interim Period dated 25th September 2003; the Agreement on Wealth Sharing during the Pre-Interim and Interim Period dated 7th January 2004; Protocol on Power Sharing dated 26th May 2004; Protocol on the Resolution of conflict in Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States dated 26th May 2004; Protocol on the Resolution of the conflict in Abyei area dated 26th May 2004.

What remain to be negotiated for the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement are two annexes. These are negotiations for a permanent ceasefire within the framework of the Agreement on Security Arrangements Protocol and on the modalities for implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (the six protocols) including Regional and International guarantees.

Our understanding is that a Comprehensive Peace Agreement agreed between the SPLM and GOS, and if such an agreement is faithfully implemented then it can provide a basis for the resolution of conflicts in other regions of the Sudan particularly Darfur and Eastern Sudan. Infact, such an agreement will provide a suitable model for resolving problems emanating from marginalization and exclusion in all spheres of government by the clique in the centre. It is therefore perplexing for the GOS to link the resumption of the IGAD sponsored peace process with the resolution of the conflict in Darfur. In to-day’s (1st September 2004) Alwan Newspaper, a story attributed to GOS senior official states clearly that the GOS will not send a delegation to IGAD until the conflict in Darfur is resolved.

Our interpretation of this stand by the GOS is that they would like to defeat the uprising in Darfur militarily. This implies that after their military victory in Darfur, they will then attempt the same in the South, because the mood in the ruling circles in Khartoum is that of war instead of peaceful settlement of the conflict. However, the SPLM/SPLA reiterates its commitment to the IGAD Peace Process and is ready for the resumption of the talks. We therefore see no competition between the African Union (AU) mediation in Abuja – Nigeria, and the IGAD Peace Process. In fact, they can be complementary to one another as stated above.

– Dr. Samson L. Kwaje
– Commissioner for Information and

– Official Spokesman SPLM/SPLA