The leader of one of Darfur's most prominent rebel groups, Abdel Wahed Nour, thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for organizing a meeting in France between him and Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdouk.
Nour lives in France and heads the Sudan Liberation Movement, which has been fighting government forces since 2003.
On Sunday, Hamdouk met Abdel Wahed Nour in France, a move that Macron called "essential" for peace in the country. "We have made progress," Noor said.
Stressing that his rebel movement "does not recognize" the sovereign council in Sudan, Nour said he agreed to meet Hamdok "not as a prime minister but as an individual and a political figure in the country."
Nour described Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdouk as a "good man", saying that "if he really wants to achieve peace and growth in our country, why not (meet)?"
He stressed that one of the most important aspects in their conversation was to confirm that "the peace process and change in the country has not yet been achieved," adding that "there is no peace and a free press and no judiciary. Massacres continue in Darfur, the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile state."
Asked about the next steps, Nour said he and the prime minister decided to talk again. He stressed that he will communicate with his base in Sudan in order to inform them of this meeting and discuss the next steps, but ruled out that he will visit Sudan soon, saying that the security conditions for this visit are not available.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdouk met Sunday in France with Abdel Wahed Nour, stressing reaching a "fundamental stage" towards peace.
Macron reiterated France's pledge to help rebuild Sudan's economy, announcing 15 million euros ($ 16.3 million) in aid and plans to organize a donor conference in the coming weeks.
"Thanks to the support of friends like President Macron, I think we are now taking the first steps in the right direction towards this peace," Hamdouk said. "France is the only country that can bring us together, as evidenced by the meeting you organized with Abdel Wahed Nour."
He added that the talks with Nour were very deep, and that it was scheduled to be half an hour, but extended to three hours, during which they discussed the possibilities of the solution and consolidate peace.
The conflict in Darfur has killed more than 300,000 people and displaced 2.5 million people since 2003, according to the United Nations.