The Sudanese army on Wednesday announced its commitment to a cease-fire recently declared by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir at South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.

On June 17, al-Bashir declared a comprehensive four-month cease-fire at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas, starting Saturday, June 18.

Sudanese army spokesman Ahmed Khalifa Al-Shami reiterated in a statement the army's commitment to the cease-fire, but noted that the army maintains its right to respond to any aggression.

The cease-fire came as a goodwill gesture from the government is to give the armed groups a chance to join the peace process and a renewed call by the president for all the political forces and armed movements to join the national dialogue.

Earlier, Sudan's Higher Coordination Committee of the National Dialogue (7+7 mechanism) set Aug. 6 for the meeting of the general assembly of the national dialogue conference to approve its final recommendations.

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector, which is fighting the Sudanese government at South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas, refuses to join the national dialogue conference which has been convened in Khartoum since October last year.

The SPLM has also refused to sign a road-map proposed by the African Union to achieve a lasting peace in the two regions. 

source : xinhua