Sudan: Militant ceasefire in Darfur extended through January 2018

Event

Multiple armed groups in Darfur region have agreed to a unilateral two-month ceasefire extension from Thursday, November 30, to January 31, 2018. The Sudan Liberation Movement - Transitional Council (SLM-TC), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and the SLM-Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) reportedly all agreed to the truce, which it is hoped will provide greater humanitarian access to war-afflicted populations in the region. The three groups also pledged to support the peace framework enumerated in the African Union-led Roadmap Agreement. Despite the groups' extension of the ceasefire, additional clashes between militant groups and Sudanese security forces are possible in the coming weeks.

Context

The Darfur region, located in the west of the country, is affected by extremely poor security conditions. Fighting between rebel groups and government forces has been ongoing since 2003. Despite various peace agreements, including the current ceasefire, the government has failed to successfully dismantle various militia groups operating in the region. Rebel groups continue to fuel violence, creating one of the most alarming humanitarian crises in the world. Ethnic clashes are also frequent.

Advice

Many Western governments advise against nonessential travel to Sudan and against all travel to certain regions, including the five Darfur states, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, certain areas of North Kordofan, the Djebel Ouanat region, Dinder National Park, and Sennar state. Due to a high risk of terrorist activity, always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in a terrorist attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.).