Peace talks to resume

The Sudanese government and southern rebels have agreed to a cessation of hostilities and the resumption of stalled peace talks, according to the regional grouping sponsoring the talks. The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said in a statement on Friday that both the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and representatives of Khartoum had agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding prior to a resumption of negotiations scheduled for Monday 14 October. "In order to create a conducive atmosphere for the talks, both parties have agreed to cease hostilities in all areas and ensure military stand-down of all forces," the IGAD statement said. Since the IGAD-sponsored talks broke down on 2 September there has been intensification of fighting across the south, with government forces making advances in southern blue Nile, and launching an offensive to recspture the strategic southern town of Torit, Eastern Equatoria. The SPLM/A last week offered to suspend military actions during peace negotiations, but stopped short of agreeing to Khartoum's preference for a comprehensive ceasefire. The SPLM/A has been wary of agreeing to an open-ended, comprehensive ceasefire 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. Arrangements for a permanent ceasefire are on the agenda for the upcoming talks. Government negotiators walked out of talks five weeks ago, accusing the SPLM/A of spoiling the atmosphere by attacking Torit, and of backtracking on a framework deal by proposing the creation of a capital free of Shari'ah (Islamic) law, and of making claims over transition areas, which Khartoum maintains are part of the north. The IGAD statement made no mention of these rebel demands. Muhammad Ahmad Dirdeiry, charge d'affaires at the Sudanese embassy in Kenya told IRIN on Monday that "all issues have been attended to in the [Memorandum of Understanding] document", and that the government had agreed to a resumption of talks based on the terms of the Machakos Protocol - the framework deal agreed in July. However, SPLM/A spokesman Samson Kwaje said these contentious issues had not yet been dealt with, and would be discussed after talks resumed. "These will come up again," he said. Over the weekend forces of the opposition National Democratic Alliance - an umbrella group of southern and northern opposition groups - made advances in eastern Sudan, capturing the town of Hamashkoreb. In view of the continued fighting, the IGAD statement urged both parties to "exercise maximum self-restraint and avoid any action, which may jeopardise the resumption of talks."