All Darfur stakeholders meet in April as agreement reached over 4 chapters
March 20, 2011 (DOHA) — All Darfur stakeholders are to meet in Doha next April to discuss the outcome of the ongoing process for peace as the government and rebels agreed to sign four chapters of the peace agreement.
Following a deadlock in the talks between the government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) over issues related to Darfur status and the post of vice-president, the mediation asked the three parties to endorse four protocols they agree on it and keep discussions on the disputed issues.
The mediators also asked Khartoum to maintain its delegation in Doha after its withdrawal last December. They also urged the Sudanese government to observe deals signed with the rebel groups particularly framework agreements which provide to discuss Darfur status in the venue of the talks instead of a referendum announced for next May.
“The Mediation will proceed to organise an all Darfur stakeholder’s conference on 18th April 2011, in Doha, to enable the establishment of a broad base ownership for the outcomes, in order to achieve a final and comprehensive peace agreement for Darfur,” said a press statement released in Doha on Sunday.
The mediators said this Conference means also to provide an opportunity for the Mediation to seek international support for the implementation of the provisions of the final agreement.
The all Darfur stakeholders’ conference will be attended by the government, rebel groups, civil society groups, IDPs and refugees’ representatives, tribal leaders, political forces and regional and international partners.
On the other hand, LJM top negotiator Tadjadine Beshir Niam told Sudan Tribune they approved the four chapters that the mediation proposed to endorse in a meeting held today with the Sudanese government and the mediation.
The mediation asked the Sudanese parties on 13 March to adopt the following four chapters related to the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Justice and Reconciliation, Compensation and Return of IDPs and Refugees and Wealth Sharing.
Tadjadine Niam said they actually discussed divergences related to the amount of individual compensations, and the justice adding there was no difference on the human rights and wealth sharing files.
Also LJM spokesperson Abdullah Mursal said they informed Sunday the US envoy to Darfur, Dane Smith, that understandings on negotiating positions with the Justice and Equality Movement reached advanced steps. He further stressed that unity of Darfur forces is crucial for the interests of the region.
Amin Hassan Omer the head of the Sudanese delegation in Doha told the US envoy that the government is committed to implement the outcome of the process. He also said, according to the semi-official SMC, that the meeting discussed the government’s position on the proposals filed by joint mediation.
Amin pointed out that JEM did not yet give its response on the four protocols. However the mediation held yesterday evening a meeting the rebel group. JEM delegation is expected to hand its position soon.
JEM and LJM held a series of meetings recently to coordinate their positions on the pending issues that the mediation intends to hold talks about once the four chapters are adopted.
Last week the mediators determined the pending issues as: the administrative status of Darfur; the scope of the powers of the Darfur Regional Authority and its link with other levels of Government; the participation of rebel groups in the various institutions of power, permanent ceasefire and final security arrangements; and the Mechanisms and guarantees for the implementation of the peace agreement.
(ST)