Southern Sudan opens talks with rebel commander, hopes to contain violence before Jan. vote
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JUBA, Sudan (AP) — The government of Southern Sudan is opening cease-fire talks with a commander who launched a revolt against the government following April elections.
Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Kuol Deim Kuol said Thursday the commander, David Yauyau, has requested a cease-fire and the southern military has accepted.
Yauyau said he would engage with southern leaders if "they are ready for solutions."
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The uprisings of at least three men formerly associated with the southern government or security services have threatened to destabilize the region in the run-up to its January referendum on independence from the north.
Sudan's 21-year north-south civil war ended in 2005. Observers fear the January vote could trigger new violence.
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