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The power-sharing government of Sudan and several rebel groups signed a peace agreement on Saturday aimed at resolving decades of conflict that left millions displaced and hundreds of thousands dead, it said. Reuters.
Three major groups signed a preliminary agreement in August, two factions from the western Darfur region and one from the southern region, after months of talks organized by South Sudan.
Another powerful rebel group, the North Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, which had not participated in the initial peace negotiations, agreed last month to join the new South Sudan-sponsored talks.
Dancers from Darfur and the Nile states performed on stage before the signing in Juba.
US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, said:
This historic achievement addresses decades of conflict and suffering, and will also require a strong and unwavering commitment to implement the agreement in its entirety and without delay.
The Presidents of Ethiopia and Chad and the Prime Ministers of Egypt and Uganda were among the regional officials and politicians at the event.
Read: Sudan signs a historic peace agreement with five rebel groups
Tut Gatluak, South Sudan’s chief mediator, said before Saturday’s ceremony that the goal was to finally sign agreements with all armed groups.
Sudan has been rocked by conflict for decades. After the oil-rich South broke apart in 2011, an economic crisis fueled protests that led to the ouster of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2019.
Sudan’s new civilian and military leaders, who have shared power since then, say ending the conflicts is a top priority.
The agreement establishes terms for integrating the rebels into the security forces, being politically represented and having economic and territorial rights. A new fund will pay $ 750 million a year for 10 years to impoverished southern and western regions and the possibility of return of displaced people is also guaranteed.
Analysts have welcomed the agreement, but have questioned the prominent role given to armed groups and the military.
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