Northern Sudanese who fought for southern rebels during the civil war between the north and south of the country are to disarm as part of a new deal.
This deal, mediated by the African Union, deals with the state of South Kordofan, as well as the Blue Nile. These northerners will be integrated into the national army or demobilized. The most important aspect of the deal puts an emphasis on disarmament being conducted without any type of force.
Sudanese civilians have been displaced due to the increased violence in the states, especially with the scheduled July 9 independence of the south from the north. Both the north and south agreed that there was a need for a third party to monitor the border between both regions.
The position of the northern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile has been fragile since the end of the civil war in 2005. The Sudanese government and the northern wing of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) are to work out the details of the ceasefire. Joint political and security committees are also to be formed in addition to the ceasefire.
Source: BBC.com
Photo: AFP
