AU briefs African, partner’s envoys on Darfur peace implementation
May 29, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The African Union held two meetings to enlighten African and AU partners Ambassadors in Khartoum on the implementation of Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) recently signed in Abuja – Nigeria.
Chaired by the Special Representative in the Sudan of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, the meetings involved African Ambassadors accredited to the Sudan led by their Dean the Libyan Ambassador Omar Khalifa Al Hamdy, as well as the representatives of the AU international partners.
Ambassador Kingibe briefed the participants on current efforts being exerted by the African Union to implement the DPA, which he described as basically an African led process with African leaders being largely instrumental in its realization.
He paid tribute to the international community for its support to the Abuja Peace Talks and AMIS as well as for its readiness to continue to assist the Pan – African body during the current implementation phase of the DPA.
On his part, Ambassador Sam Ibok, who was Head of the AU Mediation Team during the Abuja Peace Talks, highlighted the salient features of the DPA. He also underlined the major challenges and constraints facing the AU and the Parties signatories on the implementation of the Agreement.
During the two meetings, a great deal of emphasis was placed on the need to continue to encourage the parties that had hitherto failed to sign the DPA to come forward and do so before the expiry of the AU Peace and Security Council deadline on 31 May, 2006. The importance of explaining and popularizing the DPA to the Darfurians on the main benefits of the Agreement which up to now have not been adequately presented to them was also highlighted.
To this end, and in conjunction with the concerned parties, the African Union with the support of international partners is already working on a concerted media strategy.
Regarding security on the ground, Ambassador Kingibe noted that since the signing of the DPA on 5 May, 2006, the security situation in Darfur has degenerated as evidenced by a spite of demonstrations in the IDP camps and attacks against humanitarian workers and AMIS Forces in West and South Darfur, due mainly to the serious lack of information on the Agreement and to adverse campaigns by parties opposed to it.
Ambassador Kingibe expressed the wish to see all parties join the peace process, adding that concerted efforts are still being made with a view to convincing the hesitating Darfur Movements Leaders of the need to append their signatures to the Agreement.
He further stated that the AU Peace and Security Council will meet soon to take appropriate decisions after the expiry of the deadline on 31 May.
(ST)