Sudan has pledged to set up safe areas for uprooted African Darfur villagers, work to disarm marauding militia and stop actions by its own troops in civilian areas, according to an agreement completed yesterday.
The pact, called a "Plan of Action for Darfur" would also curb military movements by pro-government militia as well as rebels opposing them around the safe areas, to be set up in camps for displaced people and near towns so people can search for food, water and tend to animals.
The first draft of the agreement was reached on Wednesday between Sudanese Foreign Minister Mr Mustafa Osman Ismail and UN envoy Mr Jan Pronk.
It outlines steps the government must take within a month to improve security in its western Darfur region, site of what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
It is to be signed by both officials on Monday; it was sent to the 15 UN Security Council members on Friday by UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan.
The Security Council threatened to consider sanctions in 30 days if Khartoum did not curb Arab militia, known as the Janjaweed. They are accused of killing and raping civilians and uprooting thousands of African farmers, leaving 2 million people in need of food, medicine and shelter.
Mr Pronk told reporters in Khartoum on Thursday he hoped that if Sudan followed the agreement, there would be no need for the council to consider sanctions.