Peace in southern Sudan? Rebels promise to cease hostilities temporarily

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, a rebel movement in the southern states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, announced it is ceasing all hostilities immediately in areas under its control until the end of July, SPLM-N's head said in a statement on Wednesday.

The leader, Abdelaziz Adam al-Helew said the "goodwill gesture" is to "give an opportunity for the immediate and smooth handover of power to civilians".