Government extends ceasefire for three months

The government on Tuesday extended a comprehensive ceasefire “all over the areas of operations” in the south for another three months, starting on 15 October, news agencies reported. State television said the government’s decision was based on its concern to create a “positive” and “conducive” environment for the attainment of peace and was in response to appeals made by “brothers and friends.” “The government of Sudan hopes that the rebel movement will reciprocate and declare from its side a comprehensive ceasefire so as to enable the two sides to begin the special arrangements for disengaging the forces and monitoring the ceasefire and so that this temporary ceasefire would turn into a permanent one”, the television said. Another round of peace talks between the government and rebels, mediated by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is scheduled later this month.