DOHA: Sudan’s government and a Darfur rebel group, the Liberation and Justice Movement, today signed a framework peace accord, as talks with the larger Justice and Equality Movement appeared to falter.

The agreement for a ceasefire and talks was signed in Doha by Ghazi Salahuddin, an adviser to Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir, and LJM leader El-Tijani El-Sissi.

“This is an important step which will give momentum to peace efforts in Darfur,” said Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha, who attended the signing of Qatari-sponsored agreement. “We reiterate the commitment of the government of Sudan to press ahead with talks following this framework agreement.” The deal with the alliance of splinter rebel factions, which was formed last month, came after a deadline set for the completion of peace talks between Khartoum and the larger rebel group JEM passed without agreement on Monday.

The target was set by a framework accord inked last month, but the talks have since run into difficulty.

Sudanese authorities re-arrested 15 JEM members

yesterday after having released them following the wavering truce.

One key rebel group — the Sudan Liberation Army

faction of Abdelwahid Nur

— has so far refused to

have any negotiations with the government.