Sudan's Bashir announces immediate Darfur ceasefire

KHARTOUM Wednesday, (Reuters) - Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir announced on Wednesday an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Darfur region of western Sudan.

Bashir, who faces the possibility of an indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Darfur, said the government would also disarm the militias in the region.

"I hereby announce our immediate unconditional ceasefire between the armed forces and the warring factions, provided that an effective monitoring mechanism is put into action and observed by all involved parties," Bashir said.

The ceasefire was recommended by the Sudan People's Forum -- a platform of government and opposition figures. Darfur rebels have boycotted the forum.

Bashir also said: "We will set up an immediate campaign to disarm the militias and restrict the use of weapons among armed forces."

The president, however, did not promise to release political prisoners from Darfur, another recommendation by the forum.

International experts estimate that 200,000 have lost their lives and 2.5 million have been displaced since the Darfur conflict flared in 2003, when mostly African rebels revolted against the Khartoum government, charging it with neglect.

The government puts the death toll at 10,000 people.