The Sudanese government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army signed key peace protocols here late Wednesday, paving the way for a full ceasefire and implementation pact to end a war that has cut Africa's biggest country in two for over two decades.

Sudanese First Vice President Ali Osman Taha and SPLM/A leader John Garang exchanged the three protocols, to resolve the issues of power sharing, the two disputed areas of Nuba (Kordofan) Mountains and Southern Blue Nile, and another disputed area of Abyei, respectively.

Kenyan government officials and foreign dignitaries, including United States Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Charles Snyder, African Union Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare, Norwegian International Development Minister Hilde Frafjord Johnson and Kenyan Minister for Foreign Affairs Kalonzo Musyoka, witnessed the signing ceremony.

Source: Xinhua