Darfur’s all-inclusive dialogue process begins

A planning workshop for the Darfur Internal Dialogue and Consultation (DIDC) mechanism, a key part of the peace process stipulated in the 2011 Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), was convened today at the University of El Fasher, North Darfur.The event brought together more than 60 people from the five Darfur states to deliberate on the procedures for conducting the dialogue and the consultation process at locality, state and regional levels, the AU-UN Mission in Darfur (Unamid) stated in an information update on Tuesday. The primary objectives of the DIDC include consolidating peace by promoting dialogue and confidence-building, and by encouraging reconciliation and unity among the people of Darfur, in particular, and Sudan, in general. The DIDC’s objectives are expected to be achieved by expanding ownership of the DDPD and mobilising support for its implementation; enhancing traditional practices regarding settlement of local disputes; promoting inter-tribal and inter-communal peace, reconciliation and harmonious coexistence; enhancing the status of Native Administration, including restoring its authority and building its capacity; bringing about a social and political rejuvenation in Darfur; and helping the people of Darfur come to terms with the conflict of the past and the way to forge ahead. The UN, the AU and Qatar are facilitating the DIDC process. The UN Security Council resolution 2113 of 2013 reaffirmed support for the DIDC taking place in an environment of respect for the civil and political rights of participants, including women and young people. Ahead of the first workshop to launch the consultation mechanism, Unamid facilitated a broad survey across Darfur to gauge interest in and understanding of the DIDC process. While some survey results remain in the process of being tabulated, the vast majority of the respondents indicated they are knowledgeable about the DDPD and believe that it can address Darfur’s problems. Also, the majority of respondents indicated that the DIDC could contribute to peace and reconciliation in Darfur and could help in resolving tribal conflict. Respondents also indicated that the DIDC process should focus on security, governance, natural resources and the environment, and should address, in particular, the issues that have emerged between farmers and nomads. The survey participants, consisting of people from Central, North and South Darfur, identified some risks, concerns and challenges for the DIDC process. The main concern they shared was related to the deteriorating security situation caused by armed conflict. The DIDC meetings and outreach events are expected to take place in the months ahead, bringing together all Darfur stakeholders to deliberate on the DDPD’s implementation, make recommendations for the way forward and, ultimately, help steer the peace agreement’s provisions toward effective delivery of tangible results for the people of Darfur. File photo: Unamid vehicles negotiates flooded Darfur road (Albert Gonzalez Farran/Unamid Related: More than 1,000 Darfuri displaced attend Kalma conference (1 January 2014)