The leaders of the Sudan called on the rest of the armed movements to join the peace process in the country, after the signing of a peace agreement in Juba today with some other armed movements, accompanied by a festive atmosphere, dancing and joy between the signatories and the present delegations.

The call came in televised speeches by the head of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, his deputy, Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), and Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, at the signing ceremony of the peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the armed movements in Juba.

Al-Burhan, Hemedti and Hamdok called on the head of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Abdul Wahid Muhammad Nur, and the head of the SPLM-North, Abdulaziz Al-Hilu, to join the peace agreement.

Al-Burhan said from Juba, "I send a sincere invitation to the leader, Abdul Aziz Al-Hilu, and to the commander Abdul Wahid Muhammad Nur, to join the peace process, and not to miss this honor."

Hemedti (left) during the signing of the agreement (Reuters)

For his part, Hemedti expressed his aspiration for a comprehensive peace, saying, "We affirm our keenness and desire to resume talks with the SPLM led by Al-Hilu, and the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Nour to join the peace agreement."

In turn, Hamdok sent a message to Al-Hilu and Abdel-Wahid, saying, "We are waiting for you to build Sudan."

And this August, the mediation in Juba decided to freeze negotiations with the SPLM-North, to announce the latter's withdrawal from the negotiations in protest against Hemeti's leadership of the government delegation.

Since August 2019, the Sudan Liberation Movement has refused to enter negotiations with the transitional authority in Juba, claiming that it will not lead to peace.

Earlier today, the Sudanese government announced, in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, the initialing of a peace agreement between the government and the armed movements.

Chairman of the Justice and Equality Movement Gabriel Ibrahim during the signing of the agreement (Reuters)

The armed groups that signed the agreement include the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Army led by Minni Minawi, both from the Darfur region in the west, and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North led by Malik Agar, in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The official signing ceremony was accompanied by applause and cheers in the hall, while many raised the victory badges.

In addition, a signature of patriotic songs sung directly by Sudanese artists was also signed.

The leaders of the armed movements greeted Hemedti with fists, and danced together for a short time to the beat of the music.

Political and tribal officials have also signed other agreements related to development in several regions.

And official television in Sudan broadcast live broadcasts of the signing ceremony of the peace agreement, which included eight protocols, most notably the sharing of power, wealth, and transitional justice.

Malik Aqar during the signing ceremony of the agreement in Juba today (Reuters)

The agreement also stipulated the necessity of dismantling the armed movements and their fighters joining the regular army, which will be reorganized, to be representative of all components of the Sudanese people.

The mediation of the Sudan peace negotiations in Juba focused on five tracks, namely, the Darfur region (west), the states of South Kordofan (south) and Blue Nile (southeast), eastern Sudan, northern Sudan, and central Sudan.

In Sudan, on August 21, 2019, a transitional period began that lasts 39 months, ending with elections in late 2022, during which power would be shared by the army and the Forces of Freedom and Change Coalition that led the popular protests that toppled al-Bashir.