Ceasefire extended for three months

The Khartoum government and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) have agreed to a three-month extension of the ceasefire in Bahr al-Ghazal, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan, Ambassador Tom Eric Vraalsen said in a press conference in Nairobi today (Friday). He added that Khartoum was equally concerned over the activities of maverick warlord Kerubino Kwanyin Bol, who recently defected back to the government’s side with a force of 600 men, and is believed to be heading towards Bahr-al-Ghazal. Vraalsen also said there was agreement in principle for UN missions to open in the Nuba mountains. The ambassador noted that a US $180-200 million appeal for Sudan would be launched next week, and he added that he was impressed with the impact of the humanitarian effort in Bahr al-Ghazal last year. Meanwhile, rebel spokesman John Luk said in Nairobi today the ceasefire would be unilaterally extended by the SPLA for the first time to cover central Upper Nile to help relief assistance, Reuters reported.