A South Sudan rebel group has declared a cease-fire with the government of the newly independent nation.

A spokesman for the rebels, Bol Gatkouth, said the group was accepting a recent offer of amnesty extended by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and will open talks with the government.

The group, led by renegade general Peter Gadet and based in South Sudan's Unity state, is one of several rebel groups fighting government forces in the new country.

President Kiir first offered amnesty to the militias last year and renewed the offer at independence ceremonies on July 9.

South Sudan voted to split from the north in a January referendum. Southern officials have accused Khartoum government of supporting the militias to destabilize the new country.