Doha (Earth Times) - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Tuesday night signed a ceasefire deal in Doha with a key rebel group, in what could be a key step toward ending the conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region, broadcast reports said. Al-Bashir, who arrived in the Qatari capital on Monday night, said earlier that the deal between his government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) marked "the beginning of the end of the war in Darfur."
"God willing, by the next elections, Darfur will be in a state of total peace," al-Bashir said
Chadian President Idriss Deby, who shares ethnic ties with the JEM and who many accuse of being a patron of the group, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hammad bin Khalifa, were present at the signing ceremony.
A framework agreement covering the deal was signed Saturday.
Al-Bashir said he hoped the ceasefire with JEM would pave the way for a "comprehensive" peace to end the seven-year conflict. Other rebel groups, such as the Sudan Liberation Army, have not signed up to the deal.
The government in Khartoum has signed several previous ceasefire agreements that have quickly fallen apart, but many analysts see more hope this time around.
Fighting has died off in Darfur, leaving only isolated clashes and general insecurity.
Sudan and its neighbor Chad, which supported rebel groups in Darfur, also recently signed an agreement that should see relations improve - something analysts say is key to long-term stability in the restive province.
Presidential and legislative elections, due in April, are forcing Khartoum to worry about relations with the autonomous Southern Sudan, with which it fought a long civil war.
International pressure is also being applied, particularly through the International Criminal Court's March 2009 arrest warrant for al-Bashir on charges he oversaw crimes against humanity in Darfur.
These factors are believed to working in favor of peace in Darfur by forcing Khartoum to talk more seriously with the rebels.
The United Nations estimates that fighting in Darfur has left 300,000 dead and 2.7 million displaced. The Sudanese government says only 10,000 people have died in the conflict.
A memorandum submitted by the mediating parties proposes a timetable for negotiations after the framework agreement is signed, and a complete ceasefire.
It also affirms the continuation of the federal system of government in Sudan while stressing the government's need to protect people in Darfur from intimidation and violence, and to raise their standard of living.
The memorandum calls for proportional representation in democratic institutions, courts, the civil service, and security forces for Darfur.
"God willing, by the next elections, Darfur will be in a state of total peace," al-Bashir said
Chadian President Idriss Deby, who shares ethnic ties with the JEM and who many accuse of being a patron of the group, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hammad bin Khalifa, were present at the signing ceremony.
A framework agreement covering the deal was signed Saturday.
Al-Bashir said he hoped the ceasefire with JEM would pave the way for a "comprehensive" peace to end the seven-year conflict. Other rebel groups, such as the Sudan Liberation Army, have not signed up to the deal.
The government in Khartoum has signed several previous ceasefire agreements that have quickly fallen apart, but many analysts see more hope this time around.
Fighting has died off in Darfur, leaving only isolated clashes and general insecurity.
Sudan and its neighbor Chad, which supported rebel groups in Darfur, also recently signed an agreement that should see relations improve - something analysts say is key to long-term stability in the restive province.
Presidential and legislative elections, due in April, are forcing Khartoum to worry about relations with the autonomous Southern Sudan, with which it fought a long civil war.
International pressure is also being applied, particularly through the International Criminal Court's March 2009 arrest warrant for al-Bashir on charges he oversaw crimes against humanity in Darfur.
These factors are believed to working in favor of peace in Darfur by forcing Khartoum to talk more seriously with the rebels.
The United Nations estimates that fighting in Darfur has left 300,000 dead and 2.7 million displaced. The Sudanese government says only 10,000 people have died in the conflict.
A memorandum submitted by the mediating parties proposes a timetable for negotiations after the framework agreement is signed, and a complete ceasefire.
It also affirms the continuation of the federal system of government in Sudan while stressing the government's need to protect people in Darfur from intimidation and violence, and to raise their standard of living.
The memorandum calls for proportional representation in democratic institutions, courts, the civil service, and security forces for Darfur.
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