The Khartoum government and the largest and most powerful rebel group in restive Darfur have signed a ceasefire agreement and a framework of final peace deal.
"Now all people in Darfur from all walks of life whether in the government or outside have come to a conclusion that peace has become a necessity as people suffered enough from the conflict," Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir said after signing the agreement in Doha late Tuesday, February 23.
Beshir and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) leader Khalil Ibrahim embraced one another after signing the deal, which came into effect at midnight in Darfur.
The signing took place at a huge ceremony in Doha attended by Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno and Eritrean President Issaias Afeworki.
The government and the Darfur rebel group also signed a framework accord to launch immediate discussions to reach a final peace agreement by March 15.
The breakthrough follows a recent thawing in relations between Sudan and neighboring Chad, which supports JEM.
The Darfur conflict broke out in 2003 when rebels took up arms against the government accusing it of discrimination.
The UN says over 300,000 have died as a result of conflict, disease and malnutrition and 2,5 million have been displaced.
The Sudanese government says that 10,000 have died.
No independent inquiry has been made to date.
Power-sharing
According to a French-language copy of the framework accord, JEM and Khartoum agreed to the participation of the rebel group at all levels of government in a manner to be agreed subsequently between the two parties.
The proposed settlement involves incorporating JEM forces in the national army and offering the rebel leadership senior government posts.
Under a 12-point provisional deal signed Saturday, the JEM would become a political party as soon as the final agreement is signed between the two parties by March 15.
The final agreement will include changes in how the Darfur region is administered and that death sentences for 100 JEM fighters will be canceled.
The leader of JEM, long seen as Darfur's most heavily armed rebel group, urged the smaller groups to subscribe to peace.
"We point out, however, that the road to peace still needs much patience and honest concessions from both sides," Ibrahim said.
"I call on my brothers in the other movements to (come together) in an overall partnership in the service of our country.
"Let us unite and commit ourselves together and at the same time to peace."
Four of the smaller groups announced Tuesday merging to form the Liberation Movement for Justice and hoped to come to an agreement with Khartoum.
Another major rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid faction, has refused to talk to the government.
JEM leaders are from the Zaghawa ethnic group in Darfur, while the larger Fur and Masalit groups are more supportive of Nur.
"Other rebel groups need to be brought in before peace is achieved," Foaud Hikmat, Sudan analyst at the International Crisis Group, told the Guardian.
"The majority of the people in Darfur are not represented by JEM or the government."
"Now all people in Darfur from all walks of life whether in the government or outside have come to a conclusion that peace has become a necessity as people suffered enough from the conflict," Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir said after signing the agreement in Doha late Tuesday, February 23.
Beshir and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) leader Khalil Ibrahim embraced one another after signing the deal, which came into effect at midnight in Darfur.
The signing took place at a huge ceremony in Doha attended by Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno and Eritrean President Issaias Afeworki.
The government and the Darfur rebel group also signed a framework accord to launch immediate discussions to reach a final peace agreement by March 15.
The breakthrough follows a recent thawing in relations between Sudan and neighboring Chad, which supports JEM.
The Darfur conflict broke out in 2003 when rebels took up arms against the government accusing it of discrimination.
The UN says over 300,000 have died as a result of conflict, disease and malnutrition and 2,5 million have been displaced.
The Sudanese government says that 10,000 have died.
No independent inquiry has been made to date.
Power-sharing
According to a French-language copy of the framework accord, JEM and Khartoum agreed to the participation of the rebel group at all levels of government in a manner to be agreed subsequently between the two parties.
The proposed settlement involves incorporating JEM forces in the national army and offering the rebel leadership senior government posts.
Under a 12-point provisional deal signed Saturday, the JEM would become a political party as soon as the final agreement is signed between the two parties by March 15.
The final agreement will include changes in how the Darfur region is administered and that death sentences for 100 JEM fighters will be canceled.
The leader of JEM, long seen as Darfur's most heavily armed rebel group, urged the smaller groups to subscribe to peace.
"We point out, however, that the road to peace still needs much patience and honest concessions from both sides," Ibrahim said.
"I call on my brothers in the other movements to (come together) in an overall partnership in the service of our country.
"Let us unite and commit ourselves together and at the same time to peace."
Four of the smaller groups announced Tuesday merging to form the Liberation Movement for Justice and hoped to come to an agreement with Khartoum.
Another major rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid faction, has refused to talk to the government.
JEM leaders are from the Zaghawa ethnic group in Darfur, while the larger Fur and Masalit groups are more supportive of Nur.
"Other rebel groups need to be brought in before peace is achieved," Foaud Hikmat, Sudan analyst at the International Crisis Group, told the Guardian.
"The majority of the people in Darfur are not represented by JEM or the government."
