The African Union on Wednesday hailed a "decisive" ceasefire deal between the Sudanese government and ex-rebels in the ethnically divided South Kordofan region.

"This is a decisive step for the consolidation of peace, security and democracy in the Republic of Sudan," said Jean Ping, head of the AU Commission, the pan-African bloc's executive body.

Speaking on the eve of an African Union summit in Equatorial Guinea, Ping called the deal "a good omen for the South Sudan independence celebrations on July 9".

Khartoum and the northern arm of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement signed a preliminary deal on Tuesday for the border state, where fighting has raged since June 5 between government forces and militia aligned to the former rebel army, the SPLA.

The framework agreement pledges to pave the way for comprehensive political and security arrangements for Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, which lie on the northern side of the border with south Sudan but are home to a large number of SPLM supporters.

The conflict in South Kordofan has dramatically escalated tensions between north and south prior to southern independence on July 9.

North and south Sudan fought a two-decade civil war in which two million people died. A 2005 peace accord, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ended the conflict and allowed for a referendum in January in which the south voted massively to split from the north.

Ping called on the two parties involved in the South Kordofan conflict "to immediately cease hostilities, to allow the access of humanitarian aid and the return of displaced people".

earlier related report
UN leader welcomes South Kordofan deal
United Nations (AFP) June 29, 2011 - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the signing of a preliminary deal between Sudan and ex-rebels that would lead to a ceasefire in the ethnically divided South Kordofan region.

Representatives for Khartoum and the northern arm of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement met in the Ethiopian capital and signed the preliminary deal on Tuesday.

Fighting has raged in the border state since June 5 between government forces and militia aligned to the former rebel army.

Ban "welcomes the signing," the UN leader's spokesman said in a statement.

"The secretary general commends both parties for the political will they have demonstrated in reaching the agreement. He urges them to use the momentum created to conclude a cessation of hostilities in South Kordofan without delay."

Ban also called on the parties "to ensure the protection of vulnerable civilians and full humanitarian access to those in need in South Kordofan."

The conflict in South Kordofan has dramatically escalated tensions between north and south prior to southern independence on July 9.

North and south Sudan fought a two-decade civil war in which two million people died. A 2005 peace accord, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ended the conflict and allowed for a referendum in January in which the south voted massively to split from the north.