Sudan's al-Bashir extends ceasefire for one month

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Saturday announced extension of cease-fire for one more month at all conflict areas in Sudan.

"We declare the extension of the cease-fire for a month except for in self-defence," al-Bashir said when addressing Saturday's celebration of the 61st anniversary of Sudan's Independence.

Al-Bashir renewed his call for the parties rejecting the national dialogue to join the national document approved by the national dialogue conference in Sudan last October.

"The national document is binding for all and belongs to the Sudanese people, where it will be open for all those who reject it. We will never get tired of inviting them to join it," he noted.

Al-Bashir further reiterated his country's support for stability in South Sudan and implementation of all the agreements signed between the two countries.

In September 2012, Sudan and South Sudan signed a cooperation agreement in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa under the patronage of the African Union.

The agreement included a package of understandings related to security, citizens' status, border and economic issues and others related to oil and trade. However, the signed agreements did not tackle the issues of Abyei and border demarcation.

The border issue is the biggest obstacle to the settlement of differences between Sudan and South Sudan, revolving around five border areas. Endit