Sudan's rebels say ready to reach cessation of hostilities deal with gov't

Rebels of Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector on Sunday reiterated readiness to reach a deal with Sudanese government on cessation of hostilities and delivery of humanitarian assistance to needy in South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas.

"The delegation of the movement will be ready for cessation of hostilities, delivery of humanitarian aid and reaching a comprehensive political settlement that respects the international humanitarian law and achieves democracy in the country," Yassir Arman, Secretary General of the SPLM/northern sector and head of its delegation to the peace talks, said in a statement Sunday.

He said the 10th round of talks between the movement and the Sudanese government would discuss cessation of hostilities and delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Arman further accused the Sudanese government of continuing in what he termed as killing the civilians at the two areas which resulted in displacement of over 700,000 people and more than 300,000 refugees in South Sudan and Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa is currently hosting the 10th round of peace talks between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/northern sector under the patronage of the African Union High-Level Implementation panel on Sudan (AUHIP).

South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas have been witnessing armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the rebels of the SPLM/northern sector since 2011.

Nine previous rounds of talks were held between the two sides, but they failed to reach a deal to end the conflict in the two areas. Endit