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Temporary Ceasefire Becomes Effective

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
NEWS
October 17, 2002
Posted to the web October 17, 2002
Nairobi
A temporary ceasefire agreement between the government of Sudan and the rebel
Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) came into force at midday on
Thursday, a source close to the peace talks taking place in Machakos, Kenya,
told IRIN.
He confirmed that every unit of soldiers on the rebel side had been ordered to
observe the ceasefire except in self-defence. "Unfortunately there is no
monitoring system in place, but any violations will be reported immediately to
the mediators of the peace talks," he added.
The memorandum declaring the ceasefire, signed on 15 October, committed both
parties to suspending hostilities throughout Sudan for the duration of the
latest round of talks, and to ensuring a military stand-down of their
respective forces, "including allied forces and affiliated militia," Samson
Kwaje, an SPLM/A spokesman, told IRIN on Tuesday.
Formal peace negotiations are due to resume next week. On Wednesday, the
mediators at the talks had given both delegations in Machakos a draft protocol
on power-sharing, with two days to provide a written response to it, a source
told IRIN.
Sudanese government officials were unavailable for comment.
This is the first politically motivated ceasefire agreement signed between the
government and rebels in 19 years of civil war.

   

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