Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has signed a ceasefire deal with one of Darfur's main rebel groups, the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem).
The agreement is intended to lead to a broader peace deal, though the other main rebel group has refused to enter talks.
The framework agreement includes an outline deal on power sharing at all levels.
However, Jem says it is too early to say if the target of a final binding agreement by March - one of the clauses of the ceasefire deal - will be met.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hailed the framework agreement as "an important step towards an inclusive and comprehensive peace agreement for Darfur".
He added that he looked forward to the full implementation of the agreement's provisions.
