Sudanese Welcomes Peace Deal

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir signed a ceasefire deal with the main Darfur rebel group, JEM, on Tuesday. In the capital city Khartoum, Sudanese welcomed the peace deal and hoped both parties will respect the truce.

[Alfatih Hamd, Khartoum Resident]:

"It is an excellent deal and good for both sides. The step taken by the government is great and we hope the deal will go ahead."

Others say the government should welcome other warring parties to sign peace deals with them.

[Khalid Ali, Khartoum Resident]:

"The deal is considered as a serious step taken by the government but we hope the government will sign more peace deals with other factions to bring comprehensive peace."

It is a year since Khartoum and the JEM met in Doha for peace talks. That process stalled after the JEM accused Khartoum of attacking its positions days after the ceasefire and of failing to carry out agreed measures.

Some residents feel that peace will only come when all agreed measures are put in place.

[Hamdan Basher, Khartoum Resident]:

"Up to now it's only peace on paper. We will wait for the day when it shall be revealed if it's a reality or not. We hope it is a reality and comprehensive peace."

On Saturday, Bashir cancelled death sentences handed out to more than 100 men accused of taking part in the JEM attack on Khartoum and promised to free 30 percent of them right away.

Khartoum will offer Darfur's most powerful rebel group government posts as part of a future peace deal to end fighting in western Sudan.