Sudan: January 19, 2002

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The Sudanese government (Khartoum) and the SPLA agreed to another ceasefire. This one affects the Nuba Mountain region and is supposed to last for six months. The ceasefire was agreed to during talks in Buergenstock, Switzerland, between SPLA and Khartoum negotiators. This ceasefire will be monitored by an official truce monitoring group that includes Khartoum, SPLA, and international observers. The addition of international observers, in an official capacity, is a first. Will this work? Within hours after the announcement that the ceasefire agreement had been reached, the Sudanese government issued a statement saying the presence of foreign monitors was too big an advantage for the rebels.