Sudan: 3 rebel groups announce unilateral ceasefire
The armed movements in Sudan are willing to lay down their arms for another six months, their leaders announced. The past half year witnessed no less fighting between the rebels and Sudan Armed Forces in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
The rebel leaders have asked African Union mediatiors to facilitate negotiations with the Sudanese government to put a cessation of hostilities into action.
The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) announced a six-month ceasefire on 21 October last year. The Sudanese government announced a couple of shorter ceasefires in the meantime. Both parties disregarded these as clashes continued in the areas of conflict.
A joint statement by Jibril Ibrahim (JEM), Minawi, and Malik Agar (SPLM-N) stated that their cessation of hostilities has gone into effect in Darfur, Blue Nile, and the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan as of 24 April.