Sudan rebels commit to unilateral ceasefire

The Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) has agreed in principle to cease all hostilities in its areas of operation, which include Darfur and the Nuba Mountains.

The Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) has agreed in principle to cease all hostilities in its areas of operation, which include Darfur and the Nuba Mountains.

This unilateral commitment was brokered by the non-armed opposition Umma Party, and declared in a document signed yesterday, the ‘Paris Declaration.’

The joint declaration foresees that a cessation of hostilities would result in a halt to airstrikes and allow for improved humanitarian access.

The SRF rebel coalition, which includes SPLA-N, JEM, SLA-AW, and other rebel factions, nonetheless vowed to continue trying to topple the Sudanese government through peaceful means.

It remains to be seen how the Sudanese government will respond to the declaration.

The declaration comes after three days of meetings in Paris, France, between Umma Party leader Sadig al-Mahdi and the chairman of the SRF, Malik Agar, alongside other SRF leaders including JEM chairman Jibreel Ibrahim and SLA-AW leader Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur.

Photo: SRF leader Malik Agar (left) signs the Paris Declaration with Umma Party leader Sadig al-Mahdi (Radio Dabanga)