Al-Anbaa: Truce extended between Khartoum and the rebels

The Sudanese government and the rebels of southern Sudan have announced the extension of cease fire signed between them in October 2002 until September 30 this year.

This is, however, the third time in which such an extension is made since the signing of the principle declaration agreement in Mashakos, Kenya, and the meeting of the Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir with the leader of the Movement John Garang in Uganda.

The Sudanese daily al-Anbaa yesterday quoted the Sudanese charge de affairs in Nairobi al-Dardeiri Muhammad as saying that the extension of the agreement will be signed by Khartoum and the rebels in Nairobi. The charge de affairs added that the Kenyan mediator is the one who proposed the agreement extension.

It is, however, expected that the Kenyan mediator will head for Rombik city, southern Sudan to hold talks with the leaders rebels over the resumption of negotiations in Kenya in July. The fifth round of negotiations which aims at ending the war in southern Sudan was suspended on May 21st.