Armed groups in Sudan's Darfur declare 2-month cease-fire

KHARTOUM, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Three armed groups in Sudan's Darfur region announced Friday a two-month cease-fire starting from Nov. 30, 2017 until Jan. 31, 2018.

Leaders of the Sudan Liberation Movement -Transitional Council (SLM-TC), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and the SLM-Minni Minnawi signed the document of the declaration of the cessation of hostilities, according to a statement by the three groups.

"The immediate cessation of hostilities comes for humanitarian purposes with the aim to protect civilians, provide unhindered humanitarian access to war-affected populations, and create a conducive environment for peace," said the three groups in the statement obtained by Xinhua.

The three armed groups reaffirmed commitment not to launch any attacks, except for self-defense or protection of civilians and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

They also criticized what they termed as "repeated violations" by the Sudanese government after its declaration of a unilateral cease-fire, referring to the government's entry into IDP camps in Darfur as part of the arms collection campaign, which they said has violated the cessation of hostilities.

The Sudanese government has been fighting the rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector in South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas since 2011, as many rounds of negotiations between the two sides in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa have failed to end the conflict.

The Sudanese government has also been fighting armed groups in Darfur region since 2003. Enditem