Conclusions of Darfur rebels’ consultations in Arusha

August 6, 2007 (ARUSHA, Tanzania) — Below the full text of the Chairmen’s Conclusions from the Arusha consultations issued by the AU-UN- special envoy for Darfur on Monday at the end of the three day meeting for Darfur rebel groups.

At the invitation of the AU and the UN Special envoys for Darfur, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim and Mr. Jan Eliasson, leading personalities of the Darfur Movements held consultations in Ngurdoto, Arusha Tanzania, from 3 to 6 August 2007. The regional countries Chad, Egypt, Eritrea and Libya also participated in the meeting. Several Field Commanders were also present.

The Arusha meeting aimed at creating an enabling environment for the non-signatories to meet and consult amongst themselves, with other participants and the Special Envoys in order to facilitate the preparations for the negotiations.

The discussions focussed on the following issue: (a) Need for a common negotiation platform of the Movements for the resumed talks.; (b) Criteria and level of participation in the final negotiations; (c) Agenda and venue for the renewed talks (d) inclusions of the concerns of IDPs refugees, tribal leaders, women and other civil society groups and (e) Security and humanitarian matters.

The meeting stressed that the conflict in Darfur can have no military solution and that a political solution is of utmost urgency.

The Representatives of Darfur Movements present:

I. Reaffirmed their commitment to the Road-Map of the Special Envoys for reenergising the political process;

II. Expressed their commitment and readiness to fully participate in the forthcoming negotiations under the leadership of the AU/UN in partnership with regional actors, and with the support of the support of the international community.

III. Presented a common platform on power sharing, wealth sharing, security arrangements, land/hawakeer and humanitarian issues, for the final negotiations. The also recommended that final talks should be held between 2-3 moths from now in countries of the regional initiatives or in any other country that the mediation considers suitable in terms of environment and facilities, to ensure the success of the negotiations.

IV. Decided to keep open the possibility for those who were invited but did not participated in the Arusha Consultations, to join their common platform, in order to have an inclusive representation of the movements in the final negotiations;

V. Reiterated their readiness to respect a complete cessation of hostilities provided that all other Parties make similar commitments;

VI. Expressed their commitment to allow free access to humanitarian aid agencies, to refrain from any act of hostilities against the personnel and the assets of African Mission in the Sudan (AMIS), as well as against humanitarian organisations in Darfur.

VII. Welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 on 31 July 2007, which authorised the deployment of the Hybrid Operation and expressed support for the ongoing political process. They also pledged their full co-operation for the implementation of the Hybrid Operation, bearing in mind that it would contribute to ending violence and insecurity on the ground.

VIII. Urged the Special envoy to continue and finalize their consultations with IDPs, refugees, traditional leaders and civil society organisations, including women’s groups in an effort to develop a mechanism to channel their views and positions into-the final negotiations.

The Special envoys welcomed their common positions as an important development in the preparations for the negotiations. They also commended the representatives of the movements.

With respect to the issues relating to negotiations, inter alia, venue, timing and cessation of hostilities, the Special Envoys will consult the Government of the Sudan and other stakeholders, bearing in mind the views expressed by the representatives pf the movements.

During the Consultations, the representatives of the movements expressed their concern over the situation of Mr. Suleiman Jamous. The Special Envoy recalled that they had taken up this issue on several occasions with the Government of the Sudan. They expressed their intention to pursue the matter in view of the role of Mr. Jamous can play in the political process.

The participants expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting the meeting and for the generous hospitality extended to the participants.

Ngurdoto, Arusha, 6 August 2007.