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Sudan to sign Darfur rebel deal Sudan and Darfur rebels sign deal
(about 6 hours later)
Sudan's president is due to sign a ceasefire with Darfur rebel group the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem). Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has signed a framework ceasefire deal with one of Darfur's main rebel groups, 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". The power-sharing agreement in Qatar is 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. Jem has signalled it may not meet a mid-March deadline to sign the final deal as elections loom in April.
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. But a Jem official said further talks should resolve outstanding issues.
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. Shortly after signing the deal, the group confirmed it would be observing a ceasefire from midnight.
Jem has not looked like matching that feat since, but the ceasefire between it and the government can only help improve stability in Darfur. Jem's rebel leader, Khalil Ibrahim, said the framework agreement was "a very important step."
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. But, he added: "The road to peace still needs much patience and honest concessions from both sides."
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. Power-sharing
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. The mood at the signing ceremony was quite jubilant, with cheerful scenes of handshaking and back-slapping, reports the BBC's Stephanie Hancock from Doha.
"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. ANALYSIS James Copnall, BBC News, Khartoum This framework agreement will be a tremendous relief for President Omar al-Bashir and his government.
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. If the ceasefire is respected - and it's a big if - a major military threat will have been neutralised.
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. Aid agencies and human rights groups have warned of a possible return to North-South conflict.
Whether or not this happens, minimising the threat in Darfur will give the North a much stronger hand.
Few people saw this deal coming. Whether it ultimately succeeds or fails, it will undoubtedly have changed the dynamic in Darfur. Will peace return to Darfur?
The deal was brokered 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. As well as the 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.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) last year issued a warrant for Mr Bashir's arrest for war crimes in Darfur.The International Criminal Court (ICC) last year issued a warrant for Mr Bashir's arrest for war crimes in Darfur.
But Qatar has not signed the ICC charter, which obliges member states to arrest indictees on their territory.But Qatar has not signed the ICC charter, which obliges member states to arrest indictees on their territory.
After the deal was signed, Qatar said a $1.5bn (£969m) fund would be established for the development of Darfur.
'Redouble peace efforts''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.
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 dealSEARCH 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
The power-sharing agreement, our correspondent adds, has shaken the political establishment.
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".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".
Southern fightingSouthern fighting
Meanwhile, in Southern Sudan, several days of fighting in the Lakes State region has killed at least 28 people, including seven soldiers.Meanwhile, in Southern Sudan, several days of fighting in the Lakes State region has killed at least 28 people, including seven soldiers.
The fighting started when Gok Dinka gunmen attacked a military base in an attempt to seize more weapons, following fighting with the rival Rek Dinka clan.The fighting started when Gok Dinka gunmen attacked a military base in an attempt to seize more weapons, following fighting with the rival Rek Dinka clan.
It was only the latest in a string of violent clashes between rival ethnic groups and the army, reports the BBC's Peter Martell from the southern Sudanese capital Juba, and the scale and the frequency of those is worrying many.It was only the latest in a string of violent clashes between rival ethnic groups and the army, reports the BBC's Peter Martell from the southern Sudanese capital Juba, and the scale and the frequency of those is worrying many.
Although the civil war with the north ended in 2005, some 2,500 people died in conflicts between rival communities in Southern Sudan last year - far more than in Darfur, the UN says.Although the civil war with the north ended in 2005, some 2,500 people died in conflicts between rival communities in Southern Sudan last year - far more than in Darfur, the UN says.