The African Union (AU) said here Thursday evening the second-tier leadership of rebel groups, which refused to endorse the Darfur peace agreement last month, broke with top leaders and signed a "declaration of commitment" to the deal.

Although the main faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement/ Army (SLM/A) endorsed the peace accord with Khartoum on May 5, a splinter faction led by Abdul Wahid El Nour refused to sign, along with the smaller Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

On Thursday, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Said Djinnit received some breakaway leaders of the two Darfur movements.

"These leaders signed and submitted to the commissioner a Declaration of Commitment to the Darfur Peace Agreement, on behalf of their followers in the SLM/A of Abdul Wahid El Nour and the JEM of Khalil Ibrahim," said a communique issued from the AU headquarters.

These leaders, who were all formerly accredited as prominent delegates to the inter-Sudanese peace talks on the conflict in Darfur or are known to the African Union as political leaders or military commanders in Darfur, "expressed their support for the Darfur Peace Agreement, their determination to be bound by all its provisions, and to participate fully in its implementation," the communique said.

Diplomats here say the second-tier leaders, who backed the peace deal, have strong followings among armed groups and refugees in Darfur. Their backing could significantly improve the situation in the war-torn region of western Sudan.

The AU, which operates a 7,300-strong peacekeeping mission in Darfur, has threatened to impose sanctions on rebel leaders who reject the deal.

Source: Xinhua