Khartoum and rebel group sign historic truce agreement

Doha: A final framework and ceasefire agreement between the Sudanese government and the heavily armed rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), cementing the end of the war in Darfur, was signed late on Tuesday in Doha, despite other rebel groups having refused to enter talks and join the negotiations.

The pact was signed in the presence of the Emir of Qatar Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir, Chadian President Idris Deby and President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, among others.

During the ceremony Khalil Ebrahim, leader of the JEM announced an immediate ceasefire.

Shaikh Hamad 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 with $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) of capital to invest.

"For years Darfur has been a source of worry between Africans and the Arabs. This agreement comes along with the announcing the integration of all the rebel parties together under one body. We call on parties who have not yet joined to join this unified party and this agreement," said Shaikh Hamad.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Doha.