PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCL) United States on key areas of mutual interest, and the improvement in Sudan’s relations with the international community; 6. Welcomes the unilateral declaration of a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities respectively by the Government of Sudan and the armed movements, namely the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), in respect of the Two Areas, and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement- Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) in respect of Darfur; 7. Further welcomes the Joint Statement on Unilateral Ceasefire, Cessation of Hostilities and Completion of Negotiations, signed on 4 February 2018, jointly by the Government of Sudan and the SPLM-N, committing themselves to sustain their unilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, which have brought significant benefits to the people of the Two Areas; continue their efforts to resolve the outstanding issues that prevented completion of the Cessation of Hostilities; and reconvene at the invitation of the Panel to complete the negotiations on a formal Cessation of Hostilities. Council strongly urges the Parties to indeed continue their search for the necessary compromises and flexibility that will enable them to reach agreement at the next round of negotiations, to permit formalization of an agreement and allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need; 8. Recalls that the Sudan National Dialogue called by President Omar Hassan Al'Bashir in January 2014, was concluded in Khartoum on 10 October 2016—albeit without the participation of key opposition entities—with the adoption a National Document of recommendations, and the establishment of a High Implementation Committee (HIC) to oversee the next phases of the Dialogue, most notably, the preparations for elections, and the making of a new Constitution for the Republic of Sudan; 9. Reiterates its conviction that the principles of the Roadmap Agreement, which require the Sudanese Parties to pursue inclusive processes for designing the next phases of the political processes in Sudan, especially to oversee the electoral processes in Sudan and the critical task of drafting a new constitution for Sudan, remain relevant for the democratic transformation of Sudan; 10. Notes with concern that the Sudanese economy is facing serious structural challenges which the Government has sought to address through remedial economic policies. Council further notes that the measures taken by the Government of Sudan have triggered public protests, particularly since January 2018, to which the authorities have responded by arresting some leaders and journalists, a number of whom continue to be detained. 11. Welcomes the improvement of the situation in the Abyei area thanks to the continued deployment of the UN Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Council commends the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan for the implementation of previous decisions of the PSC concerning their cooperation on security issues. Council recalls the UN Security Council resolutions 2352 (2017) and 2386 (2017) of 15 May 2017 and 15 November 2017, respectively. In this regard, Council also welcomes the convening on 4 February 2018, in Addis Ababa, of the Extraordinary meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM), facilitated by the AUHIP, during which key decisions have been reached to address all concerned expressed by the UN Security Council; 2