Army keen on observing ceasefire

But spokesperson says they will be harsh on those who exploit the ceasefire

The Sudanese armed forces said on Wednesday that it was committed to follow President Omar Al-Bashir’s ceasefire in South Kordofan’s Kadugli region for a week.Colonel Alsoarma Khaled Saad, the military’s spokesperson, said, “We are committed in implementing the unilateral ceasefire declared by the President of our republic. However, we will be harsh on those who try to exploit the ceasefire in South Kordofan.”

President Bashir declared a ceasefire in South Kordofan during the end of Ramadan last week. However, reports from the ground suggested continued air strikes in the region causing several injuries and deaths among civilians.

The US State Department called the Sudanese authorities to respect the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Bashir last week.

The US administrations comments came on Tuesday following reports by two human rights groups about alleged aerial bombing carried out by the Sudanese Air Force in South Kordofan.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International carried out a week-long investigation that revealed 26 civilians killed in recent aerial bombings in the region.

Victoria Nuland, spokesperson for the US State Department said, “The United States is very concerned about reports of incessant bombing by the Sudanese air force on civilian areas in South Kordofan.”