The United Nations Secretary-General is 'disappointed' that the Sudanese parties failed to reach an agreement on a cessation of hostilities in Darfur and the Two Areas of Blue Nile and South Kordofan States, during recent talks, his spokesman said.

The last round of negotiations ran from 9 to 14 August 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following an earlier breakthrough when armed groups signed the 'Roadmap Agreement' to put them on a track for participation in a National Dialogue with the Sudanese government.

According to a press release from the UN Headquarters, Ban urges the warring parties “to resume negotiations, abide by the Roadmap Agreement, and refrain from any attempt to escalate the conflict in Darfur and the Two Areas. He reiterates that there can be no lasting alternative to a negotiated settlement and stresses that a cessation of hostilities is the first, indispensable step towards achieving this goal.” 

Ban appreciated the role played by the mediators, the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), the African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and his special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan.

Related: 

African Union mediators regret breakdown of Darfur and Two Areas ceasefire talks (16 Aug.)