ReliefWeb

Nov 12 (Reuters) - Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, announced a ceasefire in Darfur on Wednesday.

Here is a timeline of the conflict in the western region of Sudan:

February 2003 - Two rebel groups rise up, saying government neglects arid region and arms Arab militia against civilians.

April 8, 2004 - Government, Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels agree ceasefire.

May 5, 2006 - Sudan's government and SLA sign new peace deal. Rival SLA faction and the smaller JEM reject the deal.

Feb. 27, 2007 - International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor names first two war crimes suspects in Darfur. Sudan says the ICC has no jurisdiction and rejects arrest warrants.

May 29 - U.S. President George W. Bush imposes new U.S. sanctions on Sudan and asks for support for an international arms embargo to end what he calls genocide in Darfur.

Aug 1 - The U.N. Security Council authorises 26,000 troops and police for Darfur's hybrid mission and approves the use of force to protect civilians.

Oct 27 - Darfur peace talks open in Libya and the government declares an immediate unilateral ceasefire, but key rebel groups are absent.

May 10, 2008 - JEM rebels make a lightning attack that reaches outskirts of Khartoum. About 65 people are killed.

July 14 - Luis Moreno-Ocampo, ICC prosecutor, asks judges for an arrest warrant for Bashir on crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.

Oct 16 - Bashir pledges more cooperation with UNAMID to secure the passage of aid convoys, along with up to $350 million of spending on development in the region.

Oct 21 - United Nations says up to 300,000 people have died in Darfur and some 2.5 million have fled their homes since 2003.

Nov 12 - Bashir announces a ceasefire in the region but JEM rebels say the announcement is not serious and vow to fight on.