Sudan to continue peace talks with Darfur rebels beyond Monday deadline for agreement

Sudan to continue peace talks with Darfur rebels

CAIRO — Sudan will continue peace talks with the most powerful Darfur rebel group beyond Monday’s deadline for an agreement.

Sudanese presidential adviser Mustafa Osman Ismail says the government will hold more talks with the rebel Justice and Equality Movement in the capitals of Chad and Qatar to try to reach a final deal.

Violence in Darfur has declined dramatically since the height of the bloodshed. An estimated 300,000 people lost their lives to violence, disease and displacement in fighting that began in 2003 between ethnic African rebels and the Arab-dominated government.

The final agreement is to address the issues of political participation for the rebel movement and the sharing of wealth with the Darfur region.