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Sudan insists on signing roadmap prior to negotiations

Xinhua, June 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Sudan government said Sunday it would not enter into new negotiations with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector unless it signs a roadmap proposed by the African Union, Sudanese Media Center (SMC) reported.

The SPLM)/northern sector on Saturday called for talks with the Sudanese government over the cease-fire declared Friday by the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir at Blue Nile and South Kordofan areas.

"Signing the roadmap is the gateway for any positive breakthrough towards achieving a political settlement to reach a national consensus," the SMC quoted Hussein Hamdi, Spokesman of Sudan government negotiating delegation, as saying.

He explained that the government negotiating delegation so far has not received any invitation to resume the talks, urging the rejecting parties to sign the roadmap and join the peace process.

The movement's call came only one day after al-Bashir declared a four-month comprehensive cease-fire at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas to begin as of Saturday, June 18, 2016.

The SPLM/northern sector, which is fighting the Sudanese government at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas, refuses to sign a roadmap agreement proposed by the African Union to achieve a comprehensive peace at the two areas and Darfur region.

The movement has also refused to join the national dialogue conference which has been convened in Khartoum since October last year.

The Sudanese government has unilaterally signed on the roadmap agreement.

South Kordofan State includes most of the Sudanese oil reserve, while the Blue Nile state enjoys a strategic geographical location, and is rich of natural resources. It is also home to Al-Rusaires, the biggest electricity dam in Sudan. Endit