Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has announced an immediate ceasefire in the Darfur region of western Sudan, reported BBC.
He said his government also would start disarming militias and restrict the use of weapons among armed forces.
Up to 300,000 people have been killed and more than two million have fled their homes in Darfur since the conflict began in 2003.
Mr Bashir is under mounting political pressure over Darfur after an International Criminal Court ruling.
In July the court issued an arrest warrant against him on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
"I hereby announce our immediate unconditional ceasefire between the armed forces and the warring factions, provided that an effective monitoring mechanism is put into action and observed by all involved parties," Mr Bashir said.
Several previous attempts to bring peace to Darfur have failed to gather momentum.