Ceasefire agreement extended for two months in Sudan; peace negotiations tomorrow
Sudan, Politics, 11/29/2003

IGAD's mediator Lazaraos Simbayo announced that Khartoum and the sudanese southern rebels signed yesterday an agreement to extend the existing ceasefire, signed 6 months ago, for an additional two months, just two days before the resumption of peace negotiations in Kenya.

The mediator, the Kenyan General Simbayo, said during the signing of the agreement between the spokesman for the movement Samsoun Kawaji and the Sudanese ambassador in Kenya "we have extended the halting of fighting for two more months." He continued "we expect to reach a comprehensive peace agreement before the end of 2003 and therefore we expect an agreement for two months rather than 3 months."

He expressed hope to sign "complete agreement before the end of January 2004." The ceasefire period is expected to terminate on November 30, the day when negotiations start between the two sides after these negotiations stopped by the end of October in Nivasha. The government and the rebels commended the ceasefire and renewed commitment to reach a comprehensive agreement before the end of the current year. The Sudanese ambassador said "we are in the phase of preparing for peace."

Simbayo explained that as from Sunday, high ranking negotiators from the two sides will meet to discuss important issues, which are the sharing of authorities and resources, and the three areas under disputes which are al- Nouba mountain, the Blue Nile and Eibi, in order to prepare for the leaders to take decisions." SudanÕs (First) Vice-President, Ali Othman Muhammad Taha, and the leader of souther rebels, John Garang, will join the talks on December 5th.

Meanhile, the leader of the Sudan's Liberation Movement accused the Sudanese government forces of bombarding two areas in Darfour district, west Sudan. A matter which resulted in killing 40 persons among civilians. Abdul Wahid Muhammad al-Nour said that a Sudanese army Antonof plane bombarded on Thursday Beshaw town, in North Darfour province, and Ashmara, to the west of Darfour. He added that 6 civilians were killed in the first raid which also destroyed a water reservoir in Beshaw, while other 8 civilians were killed in Ashmara. He explained that the raids are considered a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement signed between the two sides. The Sudanese government and the movement reached, under the auspices of Chad on September 3rd a ceasefire agreement, but the movement accuses the government of violating it continuously.

Previous Stories:
  West Sudan rebels kill 186 government militias   (11/28/2003)
  Garang briefs Annan on the peace talks in Sudan   (11/26/2003)
  Sudan rebels delegation visits Algeria   (11/24/2003)

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