South Sudan’s army signed a “permanent ceasefire” with rebel forces it has been fighting since an election last April, just four days ahead of an historic independence referendum.
The deal with renegade senior officer George Athor, who began a rebellion after he claimed he was cheated in gubernatorial elections in the state of Jonglei, was welcomed as a step to easing tensions in the south ahead of the key vote.
“This is a great agreement,” said Brigadier General Michael Majur, who signed the agreement for the south’s Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA).
“I want to thank comrade Athor for his tireless effort to make this agreement a success.” Athor did not appear himself at the ceremony but sent a delegation instead.
“This is an important step towards establishing peace in south Sudan,” said Major General Abraham Thon, who signed the ceasefire on behalf of Athor. “This will help our people allow the benefits of good security.”
The agreement was overseen by the south’s vice-president, Riek Machar, and the Episcopal Archbishop of Sudan, Daniel Deng Bol. The southern army had accused Athor and his men of acting on behalf of Khartoum in a bid to destabilise southern Sudan, a charge denied by the central government.
The referendum is a key provision of a peace deal signed between Khartoum and southern rebels in 2005 to end a two-decade civil war between north and south Sudan which left two million people dead. — AFP