November 12, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir has pledged today a ceasefire and disarmament of the government supported Janjaweed militias in the troubled region of Darfur.

<doc4568|rightAl-Bashir was speaking at the closing session of a large consultation meeting initiated by his government to put out a national consensus on the approach to be adopted by the government delegation in a next peace talks with the rebels.

In order to create conducive environment for the peace process and to facilitate the activities of the humanitarian organisations working in the region, Al-Bashir announced an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Darfur. However to make it effective he added "provided that an effective monitoring mechanism is put into action and observed by all involved parties."

The issue of ceasefire is one of the major demands that the SLM Chief, Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur asks government to implement in the region before any talks. On the other hand, the Justice and Equality Movement says they would not observe any ceasefire till the last minute before the signing of a definitive peace deal.

Both say during the Abuja peace talks Khartoum didn’t honor the signed ceasefire agreement. According to this mistrust, JEM says they will fight up to the last minute before peace while SLM Al- Nur considers that Khartoum has to prove its good faith and would not exercise pressure during through attacks on civilians.

Al-Bashir also promised to "launch a campaign for the immediate disarmament of all parties immediately" after the implementation of the security arrangements" with the rebel groups. Nonetheless the sole ceasefire monitoring system in place in Darfur was signed on May 28, 2004 to implement the provisions of N’djamena ceasefire agreement signed on April 8, 2004.

The Sudanese president committed himself to provide Darfur displaced with the necessary protection through the deployment of more and well equipped police officers in the region to deter violence against civilians.

He also approved the principle of collective and individual compensation for the affected people. He urged the competent authorities to conduct the inventory of displaced persons and refugees, adding that the State dedicated 40 million pounds for this purpose but further money will be allocated in future budgets.

The conference showed reluctance to adopt the rebel demand for one region in Darfur, the report left the decision over this issue to the "people of Darfur". However the Sudanese President said willing to the creation of fourth state in Darfur instead of the current three. He added that a committee would be formed to undertake the necessary studies.

The embattled President pledged to achieve justice in Darfur and encourage local reconciliations. He also approved the establishment of a national fund to pay money blood with an initial capital of 100 million pounds. The state will contribute with 30 million pounds to this project.

Bashir did not promise to release political prisoners from Darfur rebel movement particularly those who arrested after May 10, or to create a separate vice-presidential post for the region, both recommendations by the people of Sudan’s forum.

International experts also say more than 300,000 were killed and 2 million have been driven from their homes by the conflict in Darfur, a region that is roughly the size of France. Khartoum puts the death toll at 10,000 people.

(ST)