Sudan president declares ceasefire with rebels in two southern states

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has declared a four-month ceasefire starting Saturday in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan, two southern Sudanese states where recent clashes with rebel group Sudan Liberation Movement have caused several deaths, the army announced on Friday.

“This move by the government is intended to give rebel groups a chance to join the peace process and putting down their weapons,” the army spokesman said in a statement.

The government forces and the rebel group Sudan Liberation Movement have been clashing in the two states since 2011 without any success for both sides.

The ceasefire is the second since 2015 due to the violation of the previous one leading to renewed fighting.

A counter-offensive launched by the President caused the death of at least 300,000 people and the displacement of 2.5 million people placing President Omar al-Bashir on the wanted list of the International Criminal Court for war crimes.

The ceasefire declared on Friday will not apply in Darfur where a separatist insurgency operates since 2003.