The recent violence flared between supporters of two different rebel groups, a faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), led by Abdul Wahid al-Nur, and the Liberty and Justice Movement (LJM).

ECONOMIST: Trouble in Sudan's Darfur region

Significantly, the other most important rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Army faction led by Abdul Wahid al-Nur, has condemned the JEM agreement and still refuses to negotiate with Mr Bashir's government at all.

ECONOMIST: A peace deal could help Darfur

At first this was a straightforward battle pitting the Sudanese army, together with the Arab militias, the infamous janjaweed, against two main rebel groups, the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Army.

ECONOMIST: Sudan