Government accuses rebels of breaking ceasefire

The government of Sudan and southern rebels at the weekend blamed each other for a series of ceasefire violations in the southwestern Bahr el Ghazal district where a cessation of hostilities had been called to enable the delivery of humanitarian relief.

The Sudanese External Relations Ministry said it reserved the right to “repulse aggression”. It recalled that the government had repeatedly warned the international community that the rebel movement, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA), “was not serious” about the ceasefire. The ceasefire was due to expire on Saturday after its extension by both sides in April.

The government said it had agreed to extend the ceasefire for three months on 27 April, in compliance with requests by the European Union, the United States and other international donors. Listing a series of violations, it said the attacks should be condemned by the international community. “The government of Sudan affirms again that it remains committed to the ceasefire and reiterates its call for a comprehensive ceasefire and permanent peace,” said the statement carried by state radio and monitored by the BBC. “The government at the same time affirms its right to repulse aggression and protect the life and property of citizens. It also affirms that it will not sit idly by and watch the rebel movement capture the town of Bahr el Ghazal, one after another.”