Egypt welcomes Sudan peace deal

Egypt has welcomed a peace deal signed between Sudan's transitional government and rebel groups, said Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, adding that the move reflected "the rational African will" and ushered in a new era of hope and prosperity.

On Saturday, an Egyptian delegation, headed by Madbouly, witnessed the signing of the deal in the Sudanese city of Juba which will end the decades-long regional conflicts, the Al Ahram online newspaper reported.

The agreement was signed between the Sudanese transitional government, represented by paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, and the Sudan Revolutionary Front, which comprises rebel groups from the Darfur region, as well as the southern states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

Representing Egypt, Madbouly signed the deal as a guarantor.

The agreement was also signed by Chad, Qatar, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU) and the UN, who also put their names to the agreement as guarantors.

Addressing the media later in the day, the Prime Minister said: "Egypt appreciates the serious and good efforts exerted by Sudan since the launch of the Juba negotiating platform, which has culminated with the inking of the final agreement."

He further said "the enforcement of the deal is more important than signing it", adding that political, economic, developmental, security, and social responsibilities oblige all signatories and regional and international parties to support post-peace entitlements, Al Ahram reported.

In a separate statement, the Egyptian cabinet said the move represented a decisive step in the efforts exerted over many decades to establish comprehensive peace throughout Sudan.

"Within the framework of the unified destiny and the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity that have brought the two countries together since ancient times, Egypt will spare no effort to work to support stability, prosperity and development throughout Sudan, in order to meet the legitimate aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people for a better tomorrow," it added..