Sudan govt, Darfur groups sign Tripoli declaration on cease-fire

TRIPOLI, Libya, May 11, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) –The two leading Sudanese Darfur opposition movements and a delegation representing the Darfur administration have signed an agreement in Libya committing all sides to a cease-fire and advocating peaceful means to create “strong foundations for peace, security and development” in the region.

Libyan leader Moammer Gadhafi is greeted by rebel, tribal and opposition Sudanese leaders from Darfur at his tent in Tripoli, Libya, Wednesday, May 11, 2005. (AP).

The agreement also committed all parties to facilitate the work of aid agencies, allow freedom of movement and release prisoners. The following is the text of a report by Libyan TV on 11 May, including the statement of the agreement; subheadings inserted editorially:

“Important historic achievement”

The tireless and continuous efforts of the brother leader Al-Qadhafi for finding a solution to the Darfur problem have achieved an important historic achievement today with the issuance of Tripoli Declaration II 2005 by the third session of the all-inclusive forum of Darfur’s sons which brought together the local administration, the Movement for Justice and Equality and the Movement for the Liberation of Sudan and Darfur’s sons in exile.

This declaration was read and signed today in the presence of the brother leader when he met the participants in the proceedings of this third session hosted by the Great Jamahiriyah. The latter hosted also the two previous sessions of this forum which is the fruit of a series of long and intensive meetings held by the brother leader with large delegations from all the parties of Darfur province since last October.

Here follows the text of this declaration which was read by the secretary Salah al-Din Muhammad al-Fadl, chief of the local administration of Darfur.

Al-Fadl: Your excellency the brother colonel, the international leader, Muammar al-Qadhafi, all the brothers present, may God’s peace and blessings be upon you; Tripoli Declaration II 2005:

“Deep dialogue”

At a generous invitation from the brother leader of the great Al-Fatih revolution and under his patronage, the third session of the dialogue between the local administration, the Movement for Justice and Equality, the Sudan Liberation Movement and Darfur’s sons in exile was held during the period between 8 and 11 May 2005.

The parties held deep dialogue about the security, humanitarian and social situation in Darfur and the means liable to promote the social fabric and peaceful coexistence. The delegations met the brother leader who addressed those present and gave a detailed explanation of the humanitarian and international dimensions of the crisis. He urged the parties to shoulder their responsibilities in order to reach a solution to the crisis as soon as possible and to work for the return of security and stability in Darfur. In response to his call, the participants decided the following:

“Condemnation of all forms of aggression”

One: Confirmation of the commitment to the cease-fire according to the agreements and the signed protocols. Confirmation of the commitment to the cease-fire according to the agreements and the signed protocols between the two movements and the government. These agreements are as follows:

A: The Djamena cease-fire agreement, 8 April 2004.

B: The Addis Ababa agreement, 28 May 2004.

C: The two Abuja protocols, 9 November 2004.

Two: The condemnation of all forms of aggression, including looting, theft and kidnapping, or any other form of aggression.

Three: Cooperation between the local administration and the two movements in opening routes for aid and trade between the towns of Darfur and outside, taking into account the signed agreements and protocols between the two movements and the government: the Djamena cease-fire agreement, 8 April 2004; and the two Abuja protocols, 9 November 2004.

Four: Creating a mechanism for communication between the local administration, the two movements and tribal leaders, in order to guarantee the execution of these decisions.

Five: Cooperation between the local administration and the two movements to open paths and routes.

Six: Encouragement of any shared interests between the tribes, including strengthening social ties and peaceful coexistence.

Seven: The local administration is committed to carrying out its historical role and impartiality.

Eight: The local administration, will facilitate both the governments’ and the two movements’ acceleration of the release of all detainees and prisoners of war resulting from the conflict in Darfur, in execution of the security protocol signed in Abuja, November 2004.

“Strong foundations for peace, security and development”

Nine: The local administration will call upon the governments and two movements to re-commence negotiations with complete seriousness and sincerity in order to arrive at a political solution to the crisis that will lead to the establishment of strong foundations for peace, security and development.

Ten: The local administration and the two movements will facilitate the operations of the humanitarian agencies and international organizations in continuing their aid for refugees, the displaced, and those who have lost their sources of income, in order to improve their living, health and educational conditions.

The forum thanks the leader Muammar al-Qadhafi for the generous efforts which he exerted, and sends thanks to his charitable people for being the hosts. WE also thank the charitable citizens for hosting this meeting which has brought together the people of Darfur with the leaders of the local administration; the leaders of the Justice and Equality Movement; the leaders of the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Darfur platform in exile. We request from Al-Qadhafi that he continues this historic role. Peace be upon you all.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.