Darfur forum suggests ceasefire, compensations and Vice presidency

November 10, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — A large consultation meeting on Darfur crisis called today on the Sudanese government to declare ceasefire unilaterally and to accelerate efforts to end the five-year conflict in the troubled region of western Sudan. The conference also recommended after acceptance of Naivasha partners to dedicate a vice-president position to Darfur

The initiative to solve Darfur conflict was announced on July 13, the eve of the day that International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo sought an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir on ten counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

After a one week delay the forum for peace on Darfur adopted different resolutions on the political, military and humanitarian aspects presented as a national vision towards the end of the five years conflict where more that 300,000 people where killed since 2003.

The Forum of Sudan’s people called on the government to cease hostilities ain all its forms and to declare unilateral ceasefire, and to support the hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur in its mission before the peace talks mediated by the joint chief mediator.

The resolutions also called for the creation of compensation fund to help the voluntary return of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and the refugees. It also advises to release all the arrested Darfuris and to revise the judgment of those who are sentenced by the courts.

The NCP supported meeting also adopted a position in favour of the creation of additional vice-president position adding that it requires the approval of the CPA partners and to revise the interim constitution.

With regard to the establishment of one region in Darfur instead of the three regions, the meeting also suggested acceptance of what is agreed by the Darfuris.

Nafi Ali Nafi, the presidential assistant and head of government negotiating team, expressed opposition to this demand earlier this month saying that the creation of one region will establish a single authority that would strip the power of governors, and legislative assemblies. He further warned that some could exploit it and “call for a new sedition”.

Two rebel movements refused to sign a peace agreement mediated by the African Union in May 2006 because Khartoum rejected their demands for the creation of one region in Darfur and to dedicate a vice-presidency for the region as well as the issue of individual compensations.

(ST)