afrol News, 22 February - The Sudanese government and Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) have announced a ceasefire signed in the Chadian capital N'Djamena on Saturday evening, the government statement has said.

The preliminary framework agreement in Ndjamena includes a temporary ceasefire and sets groundwork on which negotiations can commence. Items include humanitarian issues, Internally Displaced People, wealth and power sharing, release of Darfuri war prisoners.

The negotiations on the peace deal are expected resume in Doha shortly and Sudan says it expects concluding it by 15 March.

Fighting has intensified in the run up to past ceasefires and negotiations on Darfur as warring parties try to maximise territorial gains ahead of settlements.

The Darfur conflict flared in 2003 when JEM and the rebel Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) took up arms against the government, accusing it of neglecting the region. SLA founder Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur is still refusing to talk with Khartoum.

Meanwhile, reports have suggested that JEM fought off an attack from Sudan's army between the areas of Sirba and Seleia in West Darfur on Saturday afternoon, just hours before the agreement was reached.

But the government has denied reports alleging its involvement in the attacks.

JEM spokesman Ahmed Hussein Adam said the rebel force regretted the incident but said it could have been caused by a breakdown in communication between Sudan's negotiators and their forces in the field.

Khartoum has long accused JEM of being the military wing of the PCP, something which Turabi and the rebels have denied.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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