TEXT: Goodwill and confidence-building agreement to resolve Darfur conflict

February 17, 2009 (DOHA) — Below the full text of the agreement signed Tuesday by the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement in the Qtari capital Doha in presence of the Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabor Al Thani:

Under the kind auspices of the State of Qatar and the AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur, a meeting was convened from 10th to 17the of February 2009 in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar between a delegation from the Government of National Unity of the Republic of Sudan (GNU) and a delegation from the Justice and Equality Movement Sudan (JEM) to pursue a negotiated peaceful settlement for the Sudan conflict in Darfur. The two parties hereby:

Firstly: Highly appreciate the role of the State of Qatar as the Host country and agree upon Doha as the venue for the talks between them.

Secondly: Appreciate the kind auspices by H.H Shiekh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar and the mediation by the esteemed government of the State of Qatar and the AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator, Mr. Djibril Bassole;

Thirdly: Recognize the constructive support to the peace process provided by neighboring countries and the international community;

Fourthly: Declare their intent to work towards ending the ongoing conflict between them, as follows:

1. Give the peace process a strategic priority over other issues to settle the conflict in Darfur.

2. Agree to adopt a comprehensive approach which addresses the root-causes for the problem and realizes a lasting peace in the country.

3. Agree to take all necessary measures to create a conducive environment for reaching a lasting settlement of the conflict, including:

(a) Refrain from all kinds of harassment of IDPs.

(b) Guarantee the smooth and unobstructed flow of relief assistance to the needy people without any obstacles or constraints.

(c) Commit to exchange prisoners and release imprisoned, convicted, detained and arrested persons in relation to the conflict between them with a view to building confidence and accelerating the peace process. The State of Qatar and the AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator will maintain contacts with both parties to workout a time-line for concluding the release of the above mentioned.

4 Work towards an early framework agreement that leads to cessation of hostilities and lay down the basis for detailed issues.

5. Undertake to follow the framework agreement with serious talks to end the conflict in the shortest possible time, not to exceed three months.

6. Pledge to remain engaged in the peace process and to maintain representatives in Doha to prepare a framework agreement for the final talks. Done in three languages, in Arabic, English and French, all texts are equally authentic.

Signed in Doha on 17th February 2009

– For the Sudan Government of National Unity Dr. Amin Hassan Omer Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
– For the Justice and Equality Movement Sudan (JEM) Dr. Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Head of the JEM Delegation to the Doha talks.

Witnessed by:

– Ahmed bin Abdulla Al-Mahmoud Minister of State for Foreign Affairs And Member of the Cabinet, State of Qatar.
– Djbril Yipene Bassole AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur

(ST)