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Sudan Pushes Darfur Ceasefire

Cooperation from rebels uncertain; past such efforts proved fruitless

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2008 4:13 PM CST
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(Newser) – Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir announced a unilateral ceasefire in Darfur today, saying the government would begin disarming militias. But no rebels were included in the ceasefire discussions, and similar declarations have failed repeatedly. Bashir is trying to persuade international prosecutors to hold off on attempts to indict him for genocide, the BBC reports.

An international prosecutor tried to get a warrant for Bashir’s arrest in July for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The president has since felt pressure to resolve the conflict, but has excluded rebel groups from his plans. One official said today the government would attempt to contact rebels and promote the ceasefire, but one major group told the BBC it had no intention of listening.

An armed pro-government janjaweed fighter passes a Sudanese camel herder at a marketplace in western Darfur, April 21, 2007.
An armed pro-government janjaweed fighter passes a Sudanese camel herder at a marketplace in western Darfur, April 21, 2007.   (AP Photo)
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, right, opens a three-day meeting to discuss the situation in Darfur, at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum, Sudan Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008.
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, right, opens a three-day meeting to discuss the situation in Darfur, at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum, Sudan Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir addresses the media in Istanbul on Aug. 20, 2008.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir addresses the media in Istanbul on Aug. 20, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir addresses the media in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008.
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir addresses the media in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)
An African Union peacekeeper, left, and a fighter of the Sudan Liberation Army surveying a ransacked pharmacy in south Darfur in this 2007 file photo.
An African Union peacekeeper, left, and a fighter of the Sudan Liberation Army surveying a ransacked pharmacy in south Darfur in this 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo)
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Rebels scoff at ceasefire
Times (UK)

Bashir scoffs at war crimes charges
United Press International

Arms race building between Sudan and Southern Sudan
Christian Science Monitor

 
Darfur • Sudan • Omar al Bashir • ceasefire • International Criminal Court

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