Darfur Internal Dialogue launched

The Darfur Internal Dialogue and Consultations (DIDC) process was launched today at El Fasher University in North Darfur.

The event, facilitated by the AU-UN Mission in Darfur (Unamid), was attended by officials of the Sudanese government, the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), and Unamid, members of the DIDC Implementation Committee, representatives of the Darfur civil society and the displaced, Unamid reported in a press release issued today.

The DIDC process will take place in 64 localities across the five Darfur states, in addition to Khartoum, and will involve all sectors of the Darfuri society, including Darfuris in the diaspora, the press statement says.  

The speakers at the launch underscored the significance of the DIDC as a milestone in the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) in its endeavour to bring peace and stability to the region.

The Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR) of Unamid, Abdul Kamara, reiterated the importance of the DIDC and assured Unamid’s continued commitment to support it.

“It will provide an opportunity to consolidate peace, promote confidence building and encourage reconciliation as well as unity amongst the people of Darfur and Sudan in general,” Kamara remarked.

“The aspirations of young Darfuris for prosperity and security cannot be fully realised in this situation of conflict, insecurity and continued violence,” he said, calling on the Darfuris to fully embrace this process.

The DRA chairman, Dr El Tijani Sesi, called on all Darfuri stakeholders to join the DDPD for the sake of peace, stability and development across the region and commended the significant contribution of the State of Qatar in the peace process. He urged the Darfuri displaced to participate in the DIDC, “so that their concerns and aspirations are taken into account”.

“The Internal Dialogue process will present a genuine opportunity for the people of Darfur to address their differences.”

The head of the governmental Darfur Peace Follow-up Office, Dr Amin Hassan Omar, drew attention to key issues in Darfur related to trust-building, land ownership, provision of justice, return of the displaced and the refugees, as well as development projects. He expressed hope that the DIDC process will present a genuine opportunity for the people of Darfur to address their differences.

“Our basic concern in Sudan is the issue of trust building. I am confident the people of Darfur will be successful in building trust and achieving social harmony. Therefore, the government is committed to creating a suitable environment for reconciliation,” said Omar.