UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) – A ceasefire agreement between the Sudan Government and a rebel group was signed Thursday, the United Nations (UN) said.

Ibrahim Gambari, the Joint Special Representative of the African Union-UN Mission in Darfur acknowledged the importance of this step, but he also said it was crucial for Khartoum and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), which signed the outline agreement Thursday, to implement its contents.

The Darfur region of western Sudan, which is roughly the size of Spain, has suffered for seven years, submerged in constant warfare that has taken the lives of approximately 300,000 people, and has caused the displacement of around 2.7 million people since 2003.

“(The agreement with LJM) represents yet another important milestone in the road towards the destination of an all-inclusive and comprehensive peace agreement that should usher in durable peace and stability in Darfur,” Mr. Gambari said.

Last month the Sudanese Government and one of Darfur’s biggest rebel groups, the Justice and Equality Movement, signed a similar pact targeted at ending their hostilities.