Naivasha, Kenya ? Sudan’s government and rebels signed key agreements Wednesday, resolving the last remaining issues needed to end Africa’s longest-running war.

The adversaries signed three protocols on power-sharing and on how to administrate three disputed areas in central Sudan — all major stumbling blocks preventing them from reaching a final deal earlier.

All that remains for the government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army to work out are procedural matters to end the 21-year civil war, in which more than 2 million people have died, mostly from war-induced famine.

The signing took place in Naivasha, 60 miles west of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. But the accord is unrelated to fighting in the Darfur region of western Sudan, where fighting between the government and rebels have raised fears of ethnic cleansing.

Despite Wednesday’s agreement, it could take months to determine if the diplomatic solution will translate to peace.

“We have reached the crest of the last hill in our tortuous ascent to the heights of peace,” rebel leader John Garang said after the signing. “There are no more hills ahead of us, the remaining is flat ground.”

Chief mediator, Lazaro Sumbeiywo, said the final round of talk would begin in Nairobi next month and should conclude by July 15.

U.N. officials have described the situation in Darfur as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.