Sudan Government, Rebel Groups Sign Peace Agreement

Sudan’s power-sharing government and major Sudanese rebel groups signed a peace deal aiming to resolve decades of conflict that have left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. Following an August preliminary agreement, the sides, including two factions from western Darfur and one from the south, took a larger step on Saturday in a televised signing ceremony that included pomp and pageantry. Joining the ceremony were the presidents from Chad and Ethiopia, the prime ministers from Egypt and Uganda, representatives of regional bodies, and the US special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan. The deal calls for the rebels to integrate into the country’s security forces, have political representation, and receive economic and land rights. A new fund for the impoverished southern and western regions will pay $750 million a year for 10 years and displaced people are guaranteed a right to return home. Coming to a settlement with the rebels has been a crucial objective for Sudan’s transitional government, which assumed its role after the April 2019 overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir. The single largest rebel group, the powerful Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, is not part of the agreement, but is now at the negotiation table.