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Sudan to sign Darfur rebel deal Sudan to sign Darfur rebel deal
(about 3 hours later)
Sudan's president is due to sign a ceasefire with Darfur rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem). Sudan's president is due to sign a ceasefire with Darfur rebel group the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem).
Omar al-Bashir will sign a framework agreement which includes an outline deal on power sharing "at all levels".Omar al-Bashir will sign a framework agreement which includes an outline deal on power sharing "at all levels".
It is being seen as an important step towards peace, though the other main rebel group has refused to enter talks.It is being seen as an important step towards peace, though the other main rebel group has refused to enter talks.
But Jem was reported to have warned that it was unlikely to sign a final peace accord by mid-March, ahead of a national election. But Jem was reported to have warned that it was unlikely to sign a final peace accord by mid-March, ahead of national elections in April.
"After the agreement is signed, the rest will come through more negotiations," Adrees Mahmoud, a Europe-based representative of the group said, according to Reuters. ANALYSIS James Copnall, BBC News, Khartoum Jem is perhaps the strongest of the Darfur rebel groups. Two years ago it shocked Sudan by attacking Omdurman, across the Nile from the capital Khartoum.
He added that it was too early to say if the target of a final binding agreement by March - one of the clauses of the ceasefire deal - would be met. Jem has not looked like matching that feat since, but the ceasefire between it and the government can only help improve stability in Darfur.
ANALYSIS James Copnall, BBC News, Khartoum The Justice and Equality Movement is perhaps the strongest of the Darfur rebel groups.
Two years ago they shocked Sudan by attacking Omdurman, across the Nile from the capital Khartoum. Jem has not looked like matching that feat since, but the ceasefire between it and the government can only help improve stability in Darfur.
The framework agreement, which lays out the issues for talks, is also welcome in its detail. It is clearly a consequence of the rapprochement between Chad and Sudan.The framework agreement, which lays out the issues for talks, is also welcome in its detail. It is clearly a consequence of the rapprochement between Chad and Sudan.
Chadian President Idriss Deby is widely believed to have supported Jem, perhaps in part because Jem's fighters are from his Zaghawa ethnic group. Last month President Deby visited Khartoum, and both sides agreed to stop supporting each other's rebels.Chadian President Idriss Deby is widely believed to have supported Jem, perhaps in part because Jem's fighters are from his Zaghawa ethnic group. Last month President Deby visited Khartoum, and both sides agreed to stop supporting each other's rebels.
But no peace agreement can be conclusive without the Sudan Liberation Army-AbdulWahid faction. At the moment this other strong rebel group is refusing to talk to the government. But no peace agreement can be conclusive without the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid faction. At the moment this other strong rebel group is refusing to talk to the government.
"After the agreement is signed, the rest will come through more negotiations," Adrees Mahmoud, a Europe-based representative of the group, was quoted as telling Reuters news agency.
He added that it was too early to say if the target of a final binding agreement by March - one of the clauses of the ceasefire deal - would be met.
Mr Bashir is due to sign the accord in Qatar, where it was brokered in negotiations by neighbouring Chad. Sudan says Chad has backed and armed Jem.Mr Bashir is due to sign the accord in Qatar, where it was brokered in negotiations by neighbouring Chad. Sudan says Chad has backed and armed Jem.
According to the text of the accord, obtained by the BBC, the rebel group will constitute a political party after the signing of a final agreement.According to the text of the accord, obtained by the BBC, the rebel group will constitute a political party after the signing of a final agreement.
As well as an immediate ceasefire, the agreement includes an outline deal on the sharing of power "at all levels", which means the rebels will be offered seats in the Khartoum government.
The text also specifies that changes in the administration of the Darfur region will form part of the final accord and that death sentences imposed on 100 Jem fighters will be cancelled.The text also specifies that changes in the administration of the Darfur region will form part of the final accord and that death sentences imposed on 100 Jem fighters will be cancelled.
'Redouble peace efforts'
The BBC's James Copnall, in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, says the deal is a major breakthrough.The BBC's James Copnall, in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, says the deal is a major breakthrough.
The power-sharing agreement, our correspondent adds, has shaken the political establishment.The power-sharing agreement, our correspondent adds, has shaken the political establishment.
SEARCH FOR PEACE May 2006: Khartoum makes peace with main Darfur rebel faction, Sudan Liberation Movement; Jem rejects the dealMay 2008: Unprecedented assault by Jem on KhartoumJul 2008: ICC calls for arrest of President BashirNov 2008: President Bashir announces ceasefire Nov 2008: ICC calls for arrest of three rebel commanders Feb 2009: Army says it has captured key town of MuhajiriyaFeb 2009: Khartoum and Jem sign a deal in Qatar Mixed views on Darfur deal
Two years ago, the Darfur rebel group took its fight to the heart of the country, attacking the city of Omdurman, where parliament sits.Two years ago, the Darfur rebel group took its fight to the heart of the country, attacking the city of Omdurman, where parliament sits.
The government said that more than 200 people were killed in the attack and sentenced more than 100 Jem fighters to death by hanging for their involvement.The government said that more than 200 people were killed in the attack and sentenced more than 100 Jem fighters to death by hanging for their involvement.
The seven-year war between forces loyal to the government and rebels in Darfur has lost intensity in recent years.The seven-year war between forces loyal to the government and rebels in Darfur has lost intensity in recent years.
But the UN estimates 300,000 died in the worst years of the conflict. Some 2.5 million people are still displaced.But the UN estimates 300,000 died in the worst years of the conflict. Some 2.5 million people are still displaced.
The UK's Africa minister, Glenys Kinnock, hailed the ceasefire and power-sharing agreement, while urging all sides involved to "redouble their efforts for peace".