Sudan signs new agreements in Doha

Delegates from the Sudanese government and Darfur’s Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) have signed two landmark agreements looking to bring peace following meetings in the Qatari capital, Doha. JEM political adviser Nahar Osman Nahar confirmed the two sides had signed agreements linked to security and political cooperation, adding that they built on previous negotiations with Sudan’s government. Retired air force pilot and former governor of Darfur Major General Abdallah Safi El Nour claimed: “Any step towards peace is welcome, but this is not the end of the road. Some parties are still reluctant to join the dialogue process.” El Nour told Arabstoday that dismantling revolutionary insurgency groups inside Darfur was equally important to the peace process. “For these groups, Darfur is not the only issue,” he claimed. “They simply use the region as a theatre for their actions.” Sudanese officials have meanwhile called on other armed movements to join Doha negotiations and the larger peace process. JEM representatives have pledged to encourage other groups to join dialogue talks.