Sudan peace talks resume

Sudan's civil war has dragged on for two decades

The Sudanese Government and rebels have resumed peace talks in the Kenyan town of Machakos, a day after agreeing to stop fighting while the negotiations continue.

The two sides will now start discussing a political settlement to the 19-year-long war between the Arab and Muslim dominated north and the mainly Christian and animist south.

An estimated two million people have died in the conflict, and negotiators believe a ceasefire must be in place if progress is to be made with the overall peace process.

The truce covers all parts of Sudan, despite government attempts to exclude eastern areas, where rebel forces have recently made gains.

First truce

"Both parties have signed the cessation of hostilities, which will take effect on 17 October at noon (0900 GMT)," said Lazaro Sumbeiywo, Kenya's envoy at the talks, according to Reuters.

"It will last for as long as the talks are on, which could be until the end of the year," he told reporters.

The ceasefire takes effect on Thursday

"This is the first time where we have signed a cessation of hostilities," said Samson Kwaje, spokesman for the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).

"Both parties have signed so as to allow the talks to continue."

Government negotiator Tagelsir Mahgoub, Sudan's state minister for labour and administration reform, confirmed that the deal had been signed, according to Reuters.

In July, the two sides made a breakthrough on the political front, when the government agreed to hold a referendum on secession for the south, and also accepted not to impose Islamic Sharia law on the south.

The peace process was then held up as both sides launched major offensives.

The SPLA took the key southern garrison town of Torit in early September, prompting the government to withdraw its negotiators from Machakos.

The army retook Torit last week.