Ceasefire declared amidst continued fighting

Some of you may have seen the headlines that come at the end of a highly publicized effort in Khartoum to give the world the impression that a new peace initiative is under way in Sudan to bring an end to the war in Darfur. The rhetoric has been that the international community needs to steer clear of the internal affairs of Sudan and let the Sudanese people handle their own affairs. This statement is directly particularly at the International Criminal Court and perhaps to some degree at the peacekeeping operation here in Darfur which has the object of a number of attacks in the last month.

At the closure of the conference, the president of Sudan acted on some of the recommendations of the participants by declaring an immediate ceasefire and suggesting that the courts would consider compensation to families that had been affected by the conflict. This statement addressed the two most important demands of the rebels BEFORE any peace negotiations can resume.

The news on the ceasefire was treated with some mistrust and scepticism, and with reason. Yesterday and today, I learned that the Sudanese military launched a major assault in North Darfur on a number of positions. You can read more about the ceasefire declaration and the related rhetoric here: 'Sudan People's Initiative' Calls for Ceasefire; President Declares it Immediately and Unconditionally. The source of this article is the "Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan."

Many people have expressed scepticism about the sincerity of this declaration, and these articles provide a good overview of that position: Sudan cease-fire call gets wary reception in Darfur and France says not swayed by Sudan ceasefire call

Mind you, none of the articles mention the fact that there is still fighting taking place in Darfur. That may be the key reason not to trust the immediate and unconditional declaration of a cessation of hostilities.

Here are the most recent reports of fighting. I have added explanations of site-specific references or abbreviations in parenthesis:

YESTERDAY, NOV 13

Reports of from Korma (North Darfur) that GoS (Government of Sudan), with 60 technicals (pick up trucks with mounted machine guns), 2 Antonov (bomber planes) and two gunships (attach helicopters), has attacked SLA(AW) (rebel group led by Abdul Wahid)positions /checkpoints west of Khazan Tungur (southern area of North Darfur), which were established on the access roads to Jebel Mara (area in Southwest North Darfur but also in West and North Darfur). Reported casualties : five (5) persons killed and four (4) wounded. No Further Info (NFI)

TODAY AT 1100 HOURS

Aerial bombing by GoS Antonov in the vicinity of KURBIA. ( KURBIA located N NW of KUTUM on the main road between ABDEL SHAKUR and ANA BAGI). Exact time unknown. Report of casualties and battle damage unknown. In KUTUM two GoS Heli gunships are prepared and on standby to conduct mission. No Further Info (NFI).

Yes, it is normal for ceasefires to be violated. Foot soldiers receive orders late and accidents can happen. But it is difficult to see how the launching of a new assault in an area that has not seen active fighting in recent weeks can be explained in those terms.

What provoked this attack? Why now? Difficult to say, but I have the feeling that we will all learn more soon. It is entirely possible that the rebel groups were mobilizing and that it prompted a government retaliation attack to keep them in check. Either way, this new assault needs to be explained quickly if the president hopes that his ceasefire declaration will retain any credibility in Darfur and with the international community.