Sudanese president extends ceasefire in three conflict regions

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday extended the ceasefire unilaterally declared in three regions of the country where tens of thousands have been killed in fighting between government forces and rebels have killed.

Another two-month ceasefire has been declared in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan states after the previous ceasefire was declared in June. No specific date was given.

Fighting in the two southern states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan have declined since June, but mainly because of the heavy rains that make roads impassable, preventing any military operation.

In Darfur however, heavy fighting continues especially in the mountainous Jebel Marra area.

The violence in Darfur erupted in 2003 when rebels from ethnic minority rose up against the Sudanese president and his government consisting mainly of Arabs, accusing them of marginalization.

Similar rebellions took place in the Blue Nile State and Southern Kordofan after South Sudan’s secession in 2011.