Ceasefire blocked by oil demands, says government

Demands by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) that oil exploration and exploitation operations in southern Sudan be suspended before a ceasefire could be established have been rejected by the Sudanese government. Ibrahim Mattar, a Sudanese government official, told IRIN that the demands were “unacceptable conditions” and were blocking agreement on a ceasefire. He said the government had no intention of suspending oil operations.

He said previous demands were that a “comprehensive political settlement” be reached before a ceasefire could be established. Mattar told IRIN from Khartoum that the government felt that the SPLA did not have a “clear cut objective” and were deliberately blocking talks. He said the Sudanese government would “keep all doors open” to attain a peaceful end to the war.

The SPLA has also accused the government of blocking peace talks, by refusing to discuss issues relating to autonomy and religious freedom.