Sudan announces immediate Darfur ceasefire

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday announced an immediate ceasefire in Darfur and called for a campaign to disarm militias that have been ravaging the western region.

“I hereby announce our immediate unconditional ceasefire between the armed forces and warring factions provided that an effective monitoring mechanism be put into action and be observed by all involved parties,” al-Bashir said, according to an official translation.

He was speaking after hearing the final recommendations of the Sudan government-sponsored “people’s initiative”, which was boycotted by Darfur rebel groups that have been fighting the government for the past five years.

Al-Bashir also called for “an immediate campaign to disarm the militias and restrict the use of weapons amongst armed forces”, in apparent reference to the feared Janjaweed militia that Khartoum is accused of backing.

“We confirm out commitment of negotiations to reach peaceful solutions that guarantee the eradication of disputes,” al-Bashir said.

The people’s initiative recommendations are expected to lay a foundation for a possible peace conference in Qatar by the end of 2008.

Sudan is pressing a diplomatic offensive to persuade the United Nations Security Council to delay possible proceedings against al-Bashir, who could face an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

Convincing the international community that Sudan is serious about promoting peace in Darfur, where the government has been accused of brutally repressing a nearly six-year insurgency, has been key to the people’s initiative.

Numerous initiatives have tried and failed to bring peace to Darfur, where rebels rose up against Khartoum in February 2003 complaining of marginalisation.—AFP