Sudanese factions sign ceasefire agreement

The ceasefire agreement will bring respite to the Nuba mountains area Keystone

Warring factions in Sudan signed a ceasefire agreement near Lucerne on Saturday.

The agreement was reached on the sixth day of talks between representatives of the Sudanese government and members of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and were mediated by both Swiss and United States officials.

Joseph Bucher, Switzerland’s special envoy for conflict management and head of the Swiss team, described the deal as a “significant event.”

“It’s the first time that the government of Sudan and the SPLN have concluded a ceasefire agreement and that makes it’s a significant event”, Bucher told swissinfo. “If it’s implemented properly, the ceasefire will be a definite contribution to the stabilisation of the area.”

Under the terms of the deal, which is due to come into effect within 72 hours, civillians will be allowed to move freely within the Nuba mountain region, a 80,000 sq km area currently held by the SPLA.

Bucher explained that, in addition, two militarised zones would be provided to allow the Nuba people access to fertile land. Humanitarian aid will also be allowed to enter the region by air.

The US special envoy to Sudan, John Danforth, said earlier this week that he hoped a ceasefire in the Nuba mountains could serve as a model for the rest of the country.

Sudan has been racked by a civil war since 1983. Two million lives have been claimed in the longest running conflict on the African continent.

The ceasefire, initially for six months, will be supervised by a Swiss-US military commission. Sudanese parties are required to notify the commission not later than 30 days prior the expiry of the agreement that they are prepared to renew it.

“In the event of Sudanese parties not being prepared to renew the agreement, parties in the Sudan and as well as international mediators would have thirty days to apply diplomatic pressure to renew the agreement,” Bucher explained.

“It’s the first step in a long road and I think there is a reason to be happy,” said Bucher. “But one shouldn’t speculate and exaggerate one single step.”

swissinfo