Sudan today released 57 rebels from prison as part of a peace deal signed the previous day with Darfur's Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), dpa quoted media reports as saying. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and JEM leader Dr. Khalil Ibrahim signed the deal Tuesday in Doha, raising hopes of a definitive peace in Darfur province. Al-Bashir announced the release during a visit to Darfur's capital, El Fasher recently, the BBC reported. The freed rebels were arrested after JEM in 2008 launched an attack on Omurdman, which lies across the River Nile from the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Al-Bashir had earlier said the deal brokered "the beginning of the end of the war in Darfur." "God willing, by the next elections, Darfur will be in a state of total peace," he said, adding that he hoped the ceasefire with JEM would pave the way for a "comprehensive" peace to end the seven-year conflict. Other rebel groups, such as the Sudan Liberation Army, have not signed up to the deal, however, although talks are underway between JEM and various rebel groups to create a common stance.
