Rebels offer temporary ceasefire

The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) has offered to suspend military actions during peace negotiations, which have been stalled since government negotiators walked out three weeks ago. "The SPLA units will be instructed to maintain defensive posture and not go into offensive military operations," rebel spokesman Samson Kwaje said in a statement on Friday. "The SPLA will therefore observe a period of tranquility when the peace talks are in progress." The rebel offer was welcomed by a presidential peace advisory panel, representing the Khartoum government, AFP reported on Friday. "The government is prepared to receive any proposal [from the SPLA] in this connection through the negotiators who are the sponsors of the negotiations and guarantors of agreements," AFP quoted a statement form the panel as saying. However, Khartoum has not yet formally accepted the offer. Chief mediator, General Lazarus Sumbeiywo of Kenya, is scheduled to visit Khartoum on Tuesday 1 October, to discuss with government officials proposals for a return to the negotiating table, Sudanese television reported on Saturday. Khartoum has repeatedly called for a comprehensive ceasefire as a prerequisite for talks. The SPLM/A however, has been wary of such an open-ended pause in fighting, as it is concerned the government could use the time to build up its military forces in preparation for a massive offensive across the south, according to regional analysts. Peace talks being held under the auspices of the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) were suspended on 2 September when government negotiators pulled out the day after the SPLM/A captured the strategic town of Torit, Eastern Equatoria, saying the town's fall had spoiled the atmosphere of the talks. Khartoum also complained that the SPLM/A had "backtracked" on a framework deal agreed in July - the Machakos Protocol - by proposing that Sudan be governed from a capital free of Shari'ah (Islamic) law, and by calling for negotiations on the status of disputed border areas, which Khartoum says are part of the north. One of the disputed regions - Southern Blue Nile - has seen an escalation of fighting in recent days, with government forces claiming the capture of a key town in rebel-controlled territory. Increased fighting has also been witnessed in Eastern Equatoria, where the government is reportedly attempting to recapture Torit. Khartoum on Friday placed a nine-day ban on humnaitarian aid flights into Eastern Equatoria and Western Equatoria, heightening speculation it was about to launch a major offensive in the area.