SUDAN: SPLA announces three-month ceasefire extension

The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SLPM/A) has dismissed Khartoum's "comprehensive ceasefire" offer and instead announced a three-month extension of the "humanitarian ceasefire" in Bahr el Ghazal, western and central Upper Nile. In a press release, issued on Wednesday, the SPLA acknowledged that a comprehensive ceasefire was "part and parcel of the overall solution" to the present conflict in Sudan. "We have repeatedly made it clear that as soon as agreement is reached on all issues in the Declaration of Principles [developed by the IGAD mediation team], both the government and SPLM/A shall declare a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire." In the meantime, the current humanitarian ceasefire, which is due to expire on 15 April, would be extended for three months to cover Bentiu, Panaru/Paryang, Bor, Fangak, Waat, Akobo and Pibor areas. "The SPLM/A will, however, continue to monitor and evaluate the hunger situation in the whole of the New Sudan and is willing to extend the ceasefire into other areas of the country that may need enhanced humanitarian intervention," the release said. The SPLM/A also challenged Khartoum's delegation to the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-brokered peace talks, due in Nairobi later this month, to table secession and ceasefire proposals for discussion "if [President] Bashir is serious".