Rule of law project in Darfur by UN and Sudan

The United Nations, the Sudanese Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of International Cooperation launched a programme to strengthen rule of law institutions in Darfur and contribute to the protection of women and returning populations.

Under the umbrella of the “Global Focal Point”, which is a United Nations working arrangement between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the United Nations Development Programme, and other UN partners, the programme was developed following consultations with the Sudanese government and civil society organisations.

“Never have so many UN organisations teamed up on a single Rule of Law programme, or perhaps any joint programme for that matter, making this a showcase of how we can work better together,” UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Marta Ruedas told the attendants of the launching ceremony on Tuesday in Khartoum.

'Once established, it will represent the first organised transition from a peacekeeping mission to the United Nations Country Team (UNCT).'

She added that the hybrid peacekeeping mission Unamid will continue to work with national authorities to monitor, evaluate and strengthen the capacity of rural court judges to resolve and mediate conflicts over land and other resources.

“Unamid will help to maintain stability in pilot areas, contribute to the protection of civilians – including returnee populations and women, and facilitate the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD),” said Bintou Keita, Deputy Joint Special Representative.

Sudan's acting Minister of International Cooperation Osman Ahmed Fadel Wash added: “The programme is a key pillar of social stability. It ensures women’s empowerment for the development of communities and vulnerable groups.”

The participants of the launching event in Khartoum on Tuesday (UNDP)

The programme has been initiated in implementation of Security Council Resolution 2296 (2016) which requested that certain Unamid mandated tasks relating to the promotion of the rule of law in Darfur, as well as capacity-building of police and other local institutions, be transferred to the UN Country Team in Sudan.

Read a Radio Dabanga interview with Sudanese human rights lawyer Salih Mahmoud Mohamed Osman.