Sudan has announced that it will extend the ceasefire with the rebels in Kordofan and Blue Nile regions until the end of the year. The announcement comes shortly after the United States lifted most of the 20-year-old sanctions that it had imposed on Sudan crediting the decision to the commitment and progress in conflict resolution. The current ceasefire was set to expire at the end of October.
Fighting between the army and rebels in Kordofan and Blue Nile regions broke out in 2011; when South Sudan declared independence. Conflict in Darfur began in 2003 when mainly non-Arab tribes took up arms against Sudan’s Arab-led government.
Making progress on resolving these conflicts was one of the several demands made by the United States for it to lift a trade embargo, unfreeze assets and remove financial restrictions that have isolated the country for years.
