KHARTOUM, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector announced Saturday halt of internal fighting, proposing a reconciliation to end the division within the movement.
"The internal fighting between the movement's two factions will not benefit any party," said Malik Agar, leader of the movement.
Agar declared "a comprehensive internal cessation of hostilities among the forces of the movement in all Blue Nile areas."
The SPLM/northern sector has recently broken up into two factions, one led by Agar in Blue Nile area, and the other led by Abdel-Aziz Al-Hilu in South Kordofan area.
The movement has suffered from internal divisions which, in July last year, resulted in the removal of its chairman, Agar, and the appointment of his former deputy al-Hilu in his place.
The two factions have entered into armed confrontations several times, the last of which was in February this year.
Agar instructed his forces to cease all hostilities except for self-defense.
"We have to engage in a reconciliation and unity program to unify the movement and hand over its leadership to a new generation that works for the unity of Sudan," said Agar.
The SPLM/northern sector has been fighting Khartoum government in South Kordofan and Blue Nile areas since 2011.
