Sudan starts peace deal with Darfur rebels

The framework accord signed in Doha, Qatar, follows a preliminary deal agreed on 20 February in N'Djamena, Chad, and includes a ceasefire that the JEM would start to observe from 24 February. According to details of the accord, there is an outline for power-sharing at "all levels", and the JEM is to become a political party after a final deal has been concluded. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is likely hoping to bolster the position and reputation of the National Congress Party (NCP)-led government ahead of national elections in April, also started releasing JEM-linked detainees on 24 February.

A final agreement with the JEM is now meant to be reached by 15 March, although rebel official, Ahmed Tugud, JEM's chief negotiator, said: "We are working to meet the March 15 deadline, but that itself is not a requirement." The JEM, led by Khalil Ibrahim, is one of the key Darfur rebel