The Sudan government and rebels fighting in southern Sudan have signed a ceasefire agreement covering a guerrilla stronghold in the central part of Africa’s largest country.
The deal approved on Saturday, mediated in Switzerland by the United States and Switzerland, is scheduled to take effect within 72 hours and be monitored by a joint military commission made up of three representatives from each side and a chairman from a neutral country, according to Swiss and US officials, as quoted by agencies.
The agreement, which affects the Nuba mountains region, will initially be for six months, the officials said. It was hammered out after five days of talks involving Sudan government representatives and the Sudan People's Liberation Army, representing the main guerrilla group in Sudan.
The administration of U.S. president George W. Bush has maintained sanctions against Sudan, which is on the U.S. state department list of countries that sponsor terrorism.
However, since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Sudan has shown signs of cooperating with Washington. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
