‘Peace agreement moving forward’, DRA head tells ‘concerned’ envoys for Sudan

The special envoys for Sudan held their fifth meeting on Monday to follow-up the peace process in Darfur. The meeting at Unamid HQ in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, was attended by representatives of Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Morocco, Russian Federation, Rwanda, the Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, USA, UK, EU, AU, and the UN. The meeting stressed the need for a unified approach to support the peace process. The participants also expressed their grave concern at the deterioration of the security situation as a result of fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and rebel groups, as well as “the upsurge in inter- and intra-tribal clashes which have displaced nearly 300,000 people,” noting that this has “negatively impacted efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to those who need it and to bring peace and stability in Darfur”. While the participants acknowledged the concern expressed over the reduction in funding available to aid agencies, they called attention that access restrictions constitute an obstacle to the delivery of effective humanitarian aid. They said that they “expect that the government directive allowing access to peace and development partners across Sudan will be fully implemented”. The participants expressed their continued support to the Doha Document of Peace in Darfur (DDPD). They noted the limited progress made along this path and expressed concern that the implementation of key provisions for the realisation of the peace dividend was well behind schedule. They underscored the need for strengthening the capacity of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) and its institutions to enable them to deliver their mandated responsibilities. In response, DRA Chairman Dr Tijani Sese, said that “the implementation of the agreement is moving forward in the right direction for reaching a sustainable peace in Darfur”. Sese: “The activities of the rebel movements, the tribal conflicts, the proliferation of weapons and the security chaos by some tribal militias are a direct challenge to peace and stability in Darfur.” He underlined the importance of “strongly addressing these conflicts and chaos for the stability of the region”. Unamid head Mohamed Ibn Chambas has affirmed the mission’s commitment “to work for implementing its mandate to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid to those affected.” He cited the killing of Mohamed Bashar, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement-Sudan (JEM-Bashar) who had signed the Doha Document, as one of the most prominent security threats in Darfur. “The outbreak of armed tribal fighting in some Darfur states and the activities of the armed movements have had a negative impact on the situation, causing new cases of displacement and the deterioration in the humanitarian situation,” he said. The Unamid head called on the government of Sudan and the armed movements “to reach a peaceful solution, rather than resorting to a military one”. The meeting of envoys ultimately stressed the importance of a Darfur-based dialogue and consultation, underscoring “the need for speedy conduct of grassroots consultations in a manner that enables inclusiveness and local ownership of the peace process, and in an enabling environment of security conditions, freedom of expression and freedom from reprisals”. File photo: DRA Chairman Dr Tijani Sese (Unamid – adapted)