Darfur talks Ceasefire Commission adopts five points agenda

Dec 24, 2005 (ABUJA) — The Commission on Ceasefire and Security, one of the three Negotiating Frameworks for the Inter-Sudanese Peace talks on the Conflict in Darfur, has adopted a five point agenda for discussions in the plenary session held today Friday 23rd December 2005.

The Agenda includes, the General Principles, Security Arrangements for an Enhanced Humanitarian Ceasefire, Comprehensive Ceasefire and Final Security Arrangements, Social reintegration, and Time line for implementation.

The meeting was presided over by General Yakubu Usman, on behalf of the Coordinator, General Chris Garuba who was unavoidably absent.. In attendance were all the Sudanese Parties, Representatives of the Co-Mediators, Facilitators and International Partners. Present also was the Special Envoy and Chief Mediator, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim.

The Special Envoy, Dr Salim, expressed delight at the important achievement of the Commission by adopting the five points Agenda and implored the Parties to place the interest of the people above all other considerations.

He stressed that “This is just the beginning of serious talks between the Parties” and further emphasized that negotiations are always difficult but the will of the Parties to achieve peace should prevail.

“We want this session to make substantive achievement, as in my opinion this is feasible”, he stated.

He also expressed satisfaction with what he described as the unique way the Sudanese were carrying on as brothers, even in the face of serious disagreements as this will help the Commission arrive at an agreement based on mutual accommodation.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Salim informed the Parties that he had been approached on several occasions by women from both Government and the Movements requesting his support to ensure their effective participation in the on-going Talks. He urged the Parties to include women in their respective delegations as they are major stakeholders in this process and they have an important contribution to make in the search for sustainable peace and development. He reminded participants in this as in other conflicts women and children are the worst victims.

Earlier in his opening statement, the Coordinator of the Ceasefire and Security Commission, paid tribute to the AU Mediation Team, the Parties and international Partners, for their efforts in reaching this stage of the negotiation.

He attributed the slow pace of progress on the Security Arrangements to inherent characteristic of the negotiation process.

On behalf of the International Partners, the US Representative, Ambassador Cameron Hume, commended the progress made in getting the Parties to the negotiation table.

The Parties on their part reiterated their commitment to the Agreements and Protocols already signed and expressed their readiness to forge ahead and find a lasting solution to the deplorable situation in Darfur.

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