Khartoum , Sudan ( CNN ) -- Sudan threatened to withdraw from peace talks with rebels in the western Darfur region unless an agreement was struck by Thursday . `` If we reach an agreement tomorrow then God be praised but if we do n't then we will withdraw our negotiating team , '' President Omar al-Bashir said at a rally Wednesday in Nyala , the capital of South Darfur state . Al-Bashir , who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in the western Darfur region , said he would not deal with rebels bearing arms after the talks ended in Doha , Qatar . `` These ( rebel ) movements are enjoying the negotiation process and their residency in foreign hotels while the people of Darfur are suffering the flames of war , '' al-Bashir said . `` We will not negotiate with anyone who carries a gun and claims to lead an armed group that represents the will of the people . '' The anti-government Justice and Equality Movement called al-Bashir 's statement a declaration of war . `` What the president said yesterday has blocked the way ahead on the road to a political solution , '' said a statement from Ahmed Hussein Adam , a spokesman for the group . `` It is a declaration of war and a limiting of any future chance for peace . '' Fighting erupted in 2003 between rebel groups and al-Bashir 's Arab-dominated government in Khartoum . More than 300,000 people have been killed in this desolate region , where hopes for peace have gone up and down over the last few months . Negotiators had previously set a December 31 deadline for agreement in the peace talks , which have so far not made much progress . The deadline was ahead of a key referendum on independence for Southern Sudan that begins January 9 . North and South , dominated by non-Arab Christians and animists , have fought one of Africa 's longest-running civil wars . The Darfur conflict is separate from the North-South divide , but independence for the South could help embolden rebels in Darfur .
Omar al-Bashir says unless a deal is reached Thursday , the talks will end . Deadly violence between rebels and the Khartoum government erupted in 2003 . Al-Bashir is wanted for crimes against humanity .