Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid (Front), Sudanese presidential assistant and head of the government negotiating delegation, speaks during a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan, on Feb. 5, 2018. The Sudanese government on Monday reiterated commitment to ceasefire at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas. Sudan's negotiating delegation returned to the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Monday after participating in the most recent round of peace talks regarding the two areas. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir)
KHARTOUM, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government on Monday reiterated commitment to ceasefire at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas.
It vowed to continue negotiations with rebels of Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector to reach peaceful settlement for the two areas' issue.
Sudan's negotiating delegation returned to the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Monday after participating in the most recent round of peace talks regarding the two areas, held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa during Feb. 1-3.
"We have reiterated, through a joint communique, our commitment to the cease-fire. This will avail for the citizens a wide freedom of movement, lessen the suffering and enhance the spirit of peace in the two areas," Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid, Sudanese presidential assistant and head of the government negotiating delegation, told reporters at Khartoum airport.
Hamid further criticized the movement's adherence to its position regarding delivery of humanitarian assistance to its controlled areas without passing any government procedures.
"The movement insisted that the delivery of humanitarian assistance to its controlled areas should be without government restrictions. This is unlikely because the sovereignty of the state necessitates that we should know the content of these relief supplies and where they go," Hamid noted.
The African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Feb. 3 suspended the peace talks between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/northern sector, led by Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu, which were resumed in Addis Ababa on Feb. 1, infinitely upon the request of the two parties.
This was the first official round of peace talks since the split of the SPLM/northern sector into two factions, one led by Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu and the other led by Malik Aqar.
The round, which lasted for three days only, focused on reviewing the cessation of hostilities away from other issues of difference.
The SPLM/northern sector has been fighting the government in Khartoum at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas since 2011.
On Jan. 4, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir issued a republican decree extending the cease-fire at the country's conflict zones for three months including South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas.
