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Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile rebels to disarm Sudan deal with South Kordofan and Blue Nile rebels
(about 2 hours later)
Tens of thousands of northern Sudanese who fought for southern rebels during the north-south civil war are to be disarmed as part of a new deal. A deal has been agreed to end weeks of violence in Sudan's South Kordofan state, where northern troops have been accused of ethnic cleansing.
The agreement, mediated by the African Union, concerns the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. Rebels who fought for the south during Sudan's long civil war are to be either integrated into the northern army or disarmed.
The document stresses any disarmament will be conducted without force. South Kordofan borders South Sudan, which is to become independent in July.
Some 70,000 people have fled their homes, with northern forces accusing of bombing Nuba-inhabited areas.
The agreement, mediated by the African Union, also covers the neighbouring Blue Nile state, which has been relatively peaceful.
The document stresses that any disarmament will be conducted without force.
An attempted disarmament seems to have been the trigger for the recent fierce fighting in South Kordofan, says a BBC reporter.An attempted disarmament seems to have been the trigger for the recent fierce fighting in South Kordofan, says a BBC reporter.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced because of violence in the state, which has included aerial bombardments.
Khartoum has come under heavy criticism for what activists have called "ethnic cleansing" in the area.
Anger at UN peace forceAnger at UN peace force
The framework agreement, signed in Ethiopia, stipulates that the northerners from South Kordofan and Blue Nile who fought for Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) rebels during the 21-year civil war will be integrated into the national army, or demobilised.The framework agreement, signed in Ethiopia, stipulates that the northerners from South Kordofan and Blue Nile who fought for Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) rebels during the 21-year civil war will be integrated into the national army, or demobilised.
The SPLM now governs South Sudan.
The position of the northern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile has been fragile ever since the end of the war in 2005, says the BBC's James Copnall in the capital, Khartoum.The position of the northern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile has been fragile ever since the end of the war in 2005, says the BBC's James Copnall in the capital, Khartoum.
The deal commits the Sudanese government and the northern wing of the SPLM to working out the terms for a ceasefire.The deal commits the Sudanese government and the northern wing of the SPLM to working out the terms for a ceasefire.
In addition, joint political and security committees are to be formed, our reporter says.In addition, joint political and security committees are to be formed, our reporter says.
The recent clashes in South Kordofan were between the rebels from the Nuba mountains and the north's armed forces. The recent clashes in South Kordofan pitted rebels from the Nuba Mountains against the north's armed forces, backed by Arab militias.
Many of the ethnic Nuba who fought on the side of the southern army largely voted against the north's governing party in recent state elections.
On Tuesday, representatives of the Nuba asked the mainly Egyptian UN peacekeepers in South Kordofan to leave the area.On Tuesday, representatives of the Nuba asked the mainly Egyptian UN peacekeepers in South Kordofan to leave the area.
Members of the Nuba Mountains-South Kordofan Women and Children Group demonstrated in front of the UN compound in Kauda village, accusing the UN force of siding with President Omar al-Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP) in the recent violence.Members of the Nuba Mountains-South Kordofan Women and Children Group demonstrated in front of the UN compound in Kauda village, accusing the UN force of siding with President Omar al-Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP) in the recent violence.
The fighting broke out after pro-southern groups were ordered to disarm after Ahmed Haroun was declared the winner of recent governorship elections in the state. The SPLM-North, which enjoyed considerable support among the ethnic Nuba, says it was cheated of victory in recent South Kordofan governorship elections.
The fighting broke out when former SPLM fighters were ordered to disarm after Ahmed Haroun was declared the state's new governor.
Mr Haroun is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity committed in Darfur.Mr Haroun is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity committed in Darfur.
During the weekend, he said the situation in South Kordofan was now safe and people had started to return to their homes.During the weekend, he said the situation in South Kordofan was now safe and people had started to return to their homes.
But rights group Amnesty International said those who fled were being forced to go home despite continuing violence.But rights group Amnesty International said those who fled were being forced to go home despite continuing violence.
"Ordering families to return to a highly dangerous region where bombings continue is senseless," said Amnesty International UK's Tim Hancock."Ordering families to return to a highly dangerous region where bombings continue is senseless," said Amnesty International UK's Tim Hancock.
There were reports of freshly laid landmines around Kadugli town and concern that humanitarian agencies are being prevented from accessing many areas, he said in a statement. There were reports of freshly laid landmines around the state capital, Kadugli, and concern that humanitarian agencies are being prevented from accessing many areas, he said in a statement.
Sudan: A country divided Show regionsSudan: A country divided Show regions
The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. Southern Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest.The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. Southern Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest.
Sudan's arid northern regions are home mainly to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in Southern Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own traditional beliefs and languages.Sudan's arid northern regions are home mainly to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in Southern Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own traditional beliefs and languages.
The health inequalities in Sudan are illustrated by infant mortality rates. In Southern Sudan, one in 10 children die before their first birthday. Whereas in the more developed northern states, such as Gezira and White Nile, half of those children would be expected to survive.The health inequalities in Sudan are illustrated by infant mortality rates. In Southern Sudan, one in 10 children die before their first birthday. Whereas in the more developed northern states, such as Gezira and White Nile, half of those children would be expected to survive.
The gulf in water resources between north and south is stark. In Khartoum, River Nile, and Gezira states, two-thirds of people have access to piped drinking water and pit latrines. In the south, boreholes and unprotected wells are the main drinking sources. More than 80% of southerners have no toilet facilities whatsoever.The gulf in water resources between north and south is stark. In Khartoum, River Nile, and Gezira states, two-thirds of people have access to piped drinking water and pit latrines. In the south, boreholes and unprotected wells are the main drinking sources. More than 80% of southerners have no toilet facilities whatsoever.
Throughout Sudan, access to primary school education is strongly linked to household earnings. In the poorest parts of the south, less than 1% of children finish primary school. Whereas in the wealthier north, up to 50% of children complete primary level education.Throughout Sudan, access to primary school education is strongly linked to household earnings. In the poorest parts of the south, less than 1% of children finish primary school. Whereas in the wealthier north, up to 50% of children complete primary level education.
Conflict and poverty are the main causes of food insecurity in Sudan. The residents of war-affected Darfur and Southern Sudan are still greatly dependent on food aid. Far more than in northern states, which tend to be wealthier, more urbanised and less reliant on agriculture.Conflict and poverty are the main causes of food insecurity in Sudan. The residents of war-affected Darfur and Southern Sudan are still greatly dependent on food aid. Far more than in northern states, which tend to be wealthier, more urbanised and less reliant on agriculture.
Sudan exports billions of dollars of oil per year. Southern states produce more than 80% of it, but receive only 50% of the revenue, exacerbating tensions with the north. The oil-producing region of Abyei was due to hold a separate vote on whether to join the north or the south, but it has been postponed indefinitely.Sudan exports billions of dollars of oil per year. Southern states produce more than 80% of it, but receive only 50% of the revenue, exacerbating tensions with the north. The oil-producing region of Abyei was due to hold a separate vote on whether to join the north or the south, but it has been postponed indefinitely.