Sudan rebels ready for peace agreement

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KHARTOUM, Sudan, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- The lead group for peace in Sudan's Darfur region said rebel movements are willing to continue discussing ways to end the protracted conflict.

The chairman of the committee attempting to persuade representatives from both sides of the conflict to sign the Doha Document for Peace Wednesday said Darfur rebels had expressed openness to a peace agreement.

Sadiq Wadah met with the chairman of the Justice and Equality Movement as well as a leader in the Sudan Liberation Movement.

The Sudan Tribune said the Sudanese government and one rebel group endorsed the Doha agreement in July 2011, but the JEM did not and the group demanded more talks.

However, in a statement Monday, a JEM spokesman rejected the Doha document and said they are not in a search of peace.

The spokesman also said JEM leaders told Wadah the committee is wasting its time unless he is certain the regime is ready to change its outlook.

The news comes after the JEM and two SLM factions attempted to gain support from other rebel groups to overthrow the government and establish a new state, the Tribune said.