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Sudan

Sudanese govt, main rebel group sign political memo on peace

TUNIS, Nov 18, 2006 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The Sudanese government and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), a major rebel movement in Darfur, signed on Saturday a political memorandum on implementing the peace agreement signed in May, according to press reports from Tripoli.

In the memorandum, signed by representatives from the Sudanese government and the SLM in the Libyan capital, the two sides pledged efforts to achieve comprehensive, just peace and development in Darfur and begin the rehabilitation process in the conflict-torn region.

They also agreed to strive to ensure the safe return of refugees to the region.

The two sides said dialogue is the one and only way to reach the above goals, and promised to renounce violence and war.

As a result of international mediation efforts to end years of bloodshed in western Sudan, the Sundanese government and rebel groups held nearly two years of negotiations and reached a peace agreement in Abuja on May 5.