Cessation of hostilities agreement renewed

The cessation of hostilities agreement between the government of Sudan and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) was renewed on Monday until the end of September. Originally signed in October 2002, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been extended every three months since. The latest extension would last from 30 June until 30 September, Sudan's deputy ambassador to Kenya, Muhammad Ahmad Dirdeiry, told IRIN. The agreement binds both sides to a "cessation of hostilities" in all areas of Sudan, which includes retaining their military positions, refraining from any offensives or attacks on civilian populations, and not supplying areas with weapons or ammunition. In an addendum to the MOU, which was signed in February 2003, both sides guaranteed to give notification of all troop movements and supply of combat items, to provide the locations of their forces and allied militia, and to allow a Verification and Monitoring Team to investigate any alleged military attacks. Present at the signing of the extension, which took place in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, were representatives from both the government and the SPLM/A, the chief mediator in the peace process, Lazarus Sumbeiywo, and representatives from the US, UK and Italy, Dirdeiry said. SPLA spokesman George Garang also confirmed to IRIN that the accord had been renewed.