By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sudan government has signed the beginning of a ceasefire agreement with one of the main rebel factions in the volatile Darfur region.

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) agreed to sign the deal which includes a framework for further talks and for the cancellation of death sentences for around 100 figures.  When the conflict in Darfur began in 2003  there were two major rebel groups, the JEM and the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA).

This agreement is seen as an important step toward peace even though one of the SLA has not entered into the talks.   The framework agreement will hopefully be formally be signed on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar.  The deadline for signing this final agreement is March 15.

“Today we signed an agreement between the government and JEM in Ndjamena, and in Ndjamena we heal the war in Darfur,” Said President al-Bashir during a speech on aired on state television.

According to JEM spokesman and aid to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, this agreement starts with an immediate ceasefire, but is not a permanent peace accord.   It includes a framework for further talks where issues such as the sharing of power and wealth, and the return of internally displaced people and refugees will be discussed.

“it is a significant step for peace in Darfur . . . . It is a considerable achievement for both parties,” said JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussein.

The Sudanese official in charge of the Darfur peace process, Ghazi Saleh al-Din, said other groups will hopefully also be included.

“It does not exclude other movements.  I think we can try to emulate the agreement which we signed with JEM and try to speed up the process so that we can try to a final agreement as soon as possible,” he said.

Although the seven-year war between forces loyal to the government and rebels in Darfur has lost steam in recent years, the United Nations estimates over 300,000 deaths throughout the worst years of the conflict.    Roughly 2.5 million people are still displaced.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Key Darfur Rebels Sign Ceasefire Deal – 21 February 2010

CNN – Sudanese Government to Sign Formal Peace Deal with Darfur Rebel – 21 February 2010

Sudan Tribune – Sudan, JEM to Sign Darfur Peace Deal Within Three Weeks – Official – 21 February 2010

The New York Times – Darfur Rebels Agree to Truce With Sudan – 20 February 2010