Sudanese government discusses cease-fire in the south

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael confirmed that the government is deeply concerned with continuing its efforts to reach an agreement for a permanent cease-fire and prevailing peace in the south of Sudan.

Ismael said that his government is approving the role played by the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and that Sudan supports IGAD's efforts to restore peace in the south.

Ismael said that his talks with an IGAD delegation has tackled the topics of rescue efforts in the famine-stricken south, government agreements and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army on starting a referendum for self-determination in the south as a basis for a peaceful settlement.

Diplomatic sources from the IGAD delegation asserted that the Sudanese government suggested a permanent cease-fire to the delegation to guarantee the ability of the rescue operation to reach the more than two million citizens suffering starvation in south of Sudan and the formation of a private committee concerned with taking measures to implement the cease-fire permanently.

The delegation promised to present the suggestion to the SPLA to take its opinion.