Doha: Cementing the end of war in Darfur, a final framework and ceasefire agreement between the Sudanese government and armed rebel group Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) was signed late on Tuesday in Doha, despite other rebel groups having refused to enter talks and join negotiations.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the Emir of Qatar Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and the Chadian President Idris Deby and President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, among other officials.
During the ceremony, Khalil Ebrahim, leader of the JEM, announced an immediate ceasefire.
The Emir of Qatar, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, announced his support to Sudan to help reach a permanent and comprehensive solution to the conflict and to rebuild and develop the country and its economy, by establishing a development bank in Sudan.
"For years Darfur has been a source of worry between Africans and the Arabs, this agreement comes today along with the announcing the integration of all the rebel parties together under one body, under the name of Liberation Movement and Justice in preparation to enter the current negotiating process. We call on parties who have not yet joined to join this unified party and this agreement," said Shaikh Hamad.
"The agreement, which was signed tonight, is built on a certain basis and will be a stable step to move forward and build a strong economy in Darfur."
Sudan's president thanked Qatar for helping resolve the conflict and thanked Libya, Syria, Iran, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in their combined efforts to reach a lasting solution.
"Tonight is a big step in ending the conflict in Darfur… and this agreement comes with the integration of most of the rebel movements into one body, which is a positive indication and step," Omar Al Bashir, the Sudanese President said.
"Now we are facing a big challenge to do our best in building our country and economically strengthening it… We now have the battle of construction facing us and we will do our best to direct all our efforts to develop our country. This agreement is a good start for us and hopefully this will be the end of all the conflicts," he added.
A positive step
The signing of the agreement was accompanied by a cheerful scene and mood that continued throughout the ceremony. Also this peace accord means that the rebel parties will be offered seats in the government in the coming elections.
However, according to President Bashir, the parties have not entered into details and other protocols in partnership and sharing powers.
According to Khalil Ebrahim JEM'S leader, "this framework agreement was a very important step for the country… however, the road to peace still needs much patience and honest concessions from both sides."
Djibril Bassole, joint AU-UN Chief mediator for Darfur, called all parties and movements to join peace negotiations to the improve the security situation in Darfur, establish a calm environment for the elections to take place in good conditions and to start immediately the negotiation of a global and final peace accord.
