Darfur's most powerful rebel group and the Sudanese government Feb. 23 signed a truce after a year of internationally sponsored negotiations, raising hopes the bloody seven-year conflict could draw to a close.

Rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim of the Justice and Equality Movement announced the cease-fire would begin that night as the international sponsors of the talks announced a $1 billion development fund for the war-ravaged region.

The U.N. estimates some 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million have been displaced since ethnic African tribesman in the western Darfur region took up arms against the Arab-dominated central government, complaining of discrimination, lack of political representation and neglect.