Sudanese government and rebel negotiators today resolved differences that delayed the signing of a deal on a permanent ceasefire and endorsement of a plan to end a 21 year civil.

Sudanese government and rebel officials overcame a significant hurdle toward reaching a comprehensive peace agreement today by signing a protocol on how to share the nation’s wealth, one of the major issues in the 20 year civil war.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said today that the Sudanese government and rebels fighting a 20-year civil have committed themselves to reaching a comprehensive peace deal by the end of December.