Follow-up committee meets in Doha

Will discuss ways to implement the peace agreement in days ahead

The implementation follow-up committee of the Doha peace talks met in an inaugural meeting in Doha on Sunday.The African Union-United Nations joint chief mediator Ibrahim Gambari addressed the meeting that brought together representatives from the Government of Qatar, the Government of Sudan, the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), the African Union, the United Nations, UNAMID and about a dozen organizations and national governments.

Key on the agenda of the follow-up committee’s meeting were discussions on a support package for DDPD implementation, a road map of the way towards a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive peace in Darfur, including targeted actions by international partners.

Gambari said in his address that the agreement signed between the Sudanese government and the LJM, one of its armed opponents, gives hope that a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive and lasting peace in Darfur are realizable objectives.

The agreement “debunks the widely held view that the conflict in Darfur is intractable and defies solutions,” Gabari said. “The Doha document for peace in Darfur (DDPD) must therefore be implemented faithfully and in a timely manner. In doing so, it would serve as a litmus test for the viability of comprehensive and inclusive peace in Darfur,” he added.

The Doha peace document was signed between the government and the LJM on July 14. International observers and advocacy groups have criticized the agreement of being partial as it leaves out key opposition groups in Darfur.

On the other hand, the cease-fire commission (CFC) has held its second meeting in El Fasher, North Darfur, where UNAMID has its headquarters. At its second meeting last week the CFC decided to meet every fortnight to give added momentum to its work.