Darfur ceasefire commission holds its sixth meeting

1. The DPA Joint Commission (JC) held its sixth meeting on 09 May 2007 in Khartoum. The meeting was chaired by the Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mrs. Monique Mukaruliza, and was attended by the signatories of the DPA and DoC, the UN, the EU and the US as members, and Canada, France, the League of Arab States, Libya, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, and the UK as observers.

2. The meeting considered the report of the Chairperson of the Ceasefire Commission (CFC), Maj. Gen. LKF Aprezi, on ceasefire violations, which also contained a review of the current security situation in Darfur, and presented 5 cases of ceasefire violation, which occurred from 7 November 2006 – 10 February 2007, for consideration.

3. On the prevailing security situation in Darfur, the JC took note of the report of the Chairperson of the CFC, covering the period since the last meeting of the Commission on 07 February 2007, and endorsed it. The Joint Commission in particular:

Noted that since the last session held on 7 February 2007, no fighting has taken place between the DPA Parties. However, clashes did occur between the GoS and the Non-signatories;

Observed, however, the intensification of banditry activities targeting, amongst others, the international aid agencies. This has caused some agencies to leave, and others to restrict their activities, which has further reduced humanitarian access;
Took note, with serious concern, of the increase in scale and frequency of tribal clashes which has claimed many lives, mostly unarmed civilians. The Commission observed that in addition to increase in human suffering, these trends, if not arrested could further narrow the political space that the ongoing joint AU/UN led initiative is trying to broaden. It, however, noted the ongoing efforts by the local authorities to address the situation;

Took note, also with serious concern, that attacks against AMIS, particularly the abduction and killing of its personnel, has continued. The meeting strongly condemned this disturbing trend, and urged all the parties to cooperate with AMIS in its investigation and efforts to arrest the situation. In this connection, the meeting welcomed the joint AMIS/GOS initiative to find lasting solution to this unwholesome crimes and violations, and track down the culprits. It urged the other parties to also cooperate unconditionally in the interest of peace and security in Darfur;

Took note that bombardments of targets by GoS, particularly in North Darfur, did take place. These aerial attacks were criticised, but the meeting took note of GoS explanation that they were carried out in self defence. The meeting reiterated that there can never be a military solution to the conflict, and called on all the Parties to exercise restraint, even in the face of provocation. They must observe complete cessation of hostilities, in order for the ongoing efforts to revitalise the political peace process to succeed;

Finally, the Commission regretted that all these trends have contributed to further displacement of people, and reduction in humanitarian access.

4. On the disarmament of the Janjaweed, the JC endorsed the ongoing efforts to finalise the Disarmament Plan, and called on the Joint AMIS/GoS Committee, established for this purpose, to accelerate its work.

5. On the five cases of Ceasefire violations and the effective functioning of the CFC Second Chamber, the JC:

Took note of the inconclusive nature of the investigations, due to the absence of an inclusive and effective CFC;

Noted with regret that the CFC is seriously handicapped in carrying out its investigative duties, and this has continued to weaken the Ceasefire in Darfur;

Endorsed the recommendation of the Chairperson CFC that a formula acceptable to all the Parties must be found and agreed upon, as a way forward. In this regard, the Commission endorsed the position jointly reached by AMIS and the International Community on the matter, that is:-
Deployment of Party Representatives to the 3 Sector Headquarters of Nyala, El Fasher and El Geneina (based on the new Concept of Operations), regardless of presence; and to the Military Group Sites (MGS) on the basis of presence and control.

Noted the refusal by the GoS and the Non-signatories to accept the position regarding the deployment of the Non-Signatory Party Representatives, and called on them to show leadership, commitment and flexibility, and accept to implement this formula, without delay, in the interest of re-establishing peace, stability and security in Darfur. It also endorsed the new Monthly Subsistence Allowance (MSA) and the scale of representation as jointly agreed upon by the AU and the International Community;

Called on the Non-signatories to join the AU/UN led peace process, and to stop hostile activities in Darfur;

Decided to dispose off the five cases because of lack of inclusiveness in their investigation. The JC, however, agreed that violations of Ceasefire did indeed take place and, therefore, strongly condemned the trend.

6. The Joint Commission identified the need for the urgent provision of Non-military Logistic Support to the Movements, as a way of discouraging banditry activities in Darfur. In this connection, the JC commended the GoS for providing some monetary and other logistic support to the Movements, and called on it to continue in this direction.

7. The Joint Commission welcomed the readiness of members of the International Community to provide Non-military Logistic Support, even before the DPA stipulated conditions were met. It however, stressed that this should not be viewed as a waiver, as these conditions are a critical element of the Final Security Arrangements and must therefore be met.

8. The Joint Commission called on AMIS to accelerate the process of the compilation of the Movements’ non-military logistic needs, as well as the setting up of the Logistics Coordination Committee (LCC). In this connection, the Commission called on the Movements to submit their needs within one week from the day of this Session.

9. On the venue of its meetings, the JC reiterated the relevant DPA provisions, and agreed that the venue of the seventh session will be decided by the Chairperson, in consultation with members and observers. It is decided that the next regular meeting should take place in the second week of June 2007.

Khartoum

09 May 2007