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Sudanese Interim Government, Regional Factions Sign Peace Agreement

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO - Leaders of Sudan's transitional government and a number of
   rebel groups signed a peace agreement Saturday in the South Sudanese
   capital of Juba, which observers hope will end nearly two decades of
   conflict in war-torn regions of the country, including Darfur.

   Sudan's interim President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan captured the joyful
   mood surrounding the peace accord Saturday, chanting, "Sudan is our
   country and we are all brothers," to the large crowd gathered in Juba.
   He described the event with optimism.

   Burhan said it was a great day for the destiny of Sudan's people, since
   the nation achieved the goal of a revolution -- which is peace -- after
   many years of war, ending bloodshed and giving the people a decent
   standard of living.

   Sudan's interim Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok thanked all factions and
   leaders that joined the peace accord, ending his country's bloody
   17-year conflict, and he urged the two remaining factions, which have
   not signed the peace deal, to come on board.

   He said there could be no development without peace, and no peace
   without fair and equitable development, all of which contribute to
   democracy. He added that the country was waiting for the two rebel
   leaders who have not signed the accord -- Abdel Aziz Helou and Abdel
   Wahad Nour -- to join it.

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