ANKARA
Two rebel groups in Sudan's far-western Darfur region -- the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) -- announced Wednesday that they were in favor of a political solution to country's decade-old bloody stalemate.
Peace Mediator of The African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Mohamed Ibn Chambas said in Arusha, Tanzania, that after 5 days of negotiations, representatives of both rebel groups reached an agreement to seek a political solution to the Darfur crisis, which claimed nearly 180 thousand lives so far and displaced around 3 million people.
According to a written statement by Chambas, two groups understand that they have a national interest beyond the regional armed conflict and are in favor of a non-violent solution with Sudan Revolutionary Front. Rebel groups also agree to come together with Chambas for talks to decide on steps to be taken.
Sudan Revolutionary Front is the alliance that brings together the two main factions of the SLM and the JEM, with rebels in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
Rebels in Darfur rose up against Sudanese government in 2003, claiming the region is being neglected by authorities.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
