An offensive by government-backed southern militias in the Western Upper Nile oilfields of southern Sudan during the first month of 2003 presented the gravest threat to the peace process since its revitalisation in mid-2002. A strengthened cessation of hostilities agreement was eventually signed on 4 February and a memorandum of understanding codifying points of agreement on outstanding issues of power and wealth sharing was signed two days later. However the fighting raises serious questions about the government's commitment to peace, says the International Crisis Group.