The Sudanese government signed a framework and ceasefire agreement here Thursday with the Libration and Justice Movement (LJM), a newly-integrated rebel grouping, in a move towards a comprehensive ceasefire to end seven years of conflict in Darfur.
Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Mohammad Taha, leader of the LJM Tijani Sisse Mohammad and high-ranking officials from the permanent members of the UN Security Council and African Union attended the signing ceremony in the Qatari capital.
Representatives present at the signing ceremony hugged each other and shook hands after the signature, which came after weeks of negotiations.
That was the second accord the Sudanese government inked within a month with rebel groups in the western Sudanese region.
On Feb. 23, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir inked a long- awaited temporary ceasefire accord with the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a key rebel group, unlocking a standstill in Darfur's peace process.
The LJM, which was formed by 10 rebel groups shortly before that signature, has expressed the will to engage in face-to-face talks with Khartoum.
But the JEM closed the door for the newly-formed LJM to participate in its negotiations for a temporary ceasefire with the government, after the latter refused to become part of the JEM.
Mahamat Saleh Mahamat, who is close to the framework deal, told Xinhua that representatives of the LJM have been in Doha for weeks in separate negotiations with government officials to hammer out a framework agreement.
The mediator Qatar said the date for signing the deal was reached after extensive consultations.
The Sudanese president had hoped the government could finalize a peace agreement with the JEM by mid March, ahead of the country' s April presidential elections. But positive steps in negotiations towards that aim have faded.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 March 2010 )