Sudan’s Darfur civil society conference to be held in Ethiopia
By Tesfa-alem Tekle
May 7, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — Darfurian civil society organizations will come together in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, next week to agree on mandate for peace in their troubled region.
The initiative aims to give voice to the Darfurian people, as part of bringing lasting peace and security to the war torn Darfur region.
According to a statement released by Mandate Darfur the May 12-16 conference will bring together some 300 representatives from across the region, biggest ever assemble of the Darfurian civil society.
Therefore Darfurian delegates from across tribal, ethic, geographic and religious communities will debate the various political, economic and developmental issues in an effort to build a more sustainable peace to the region.
There is high expectation that their discussions would lead to an agreed mandate that provides building block for the future peace negotiations.
Mandate Darfur is a Darfurian-owned initiative which is being facilitated by the Mo-Ibrahim foundation, an African initiative established to stimulate debate on good governance across sub-Sahran Africa and the world to bring good leadership.
On behalf of Mandate Darfur, Mo Ibrahim, founder and chairman of the Mo Ibrahim foundation, said “we are pleased that the international community is coming in support of this important Darfurian civil society initiative.”
“We know that without the consideration of the Darfurians themselves, no peace agreement will be sustainable or legitimate. It is our hope that the international community will continue to stand on the side of the Darfurian people when the Mandate emerges,” he added.
The initiative is also said to be a direct response to the United Nations Security Council resolution 1828 (2008) which underlines the need for engagement of civil society, women and women led organizations, community groups and tribal leaders.
Following the conference, Mandate Darfur will work to deliver the agreed mandate around the world to ensure that leaders within Sudan, Africa and the wider world pursue the interests of the Darfurian people to find lasting peace to the region.
Scott Gration, president Obama’s special Envoy to Sudan, said, “I believe strongly that solutions to the present conflict in Darfur must come from Darfurians themselves. Your efforts and the broad representation of civil society you plan to gather in Ethiopia will play an important role in adding more momentum to our mutual goal of peace and security in Darfur.”
Demonstrating the breadth of support for this initiative, Mandate Darfur was also welcomed by endorsement of Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League. Moussa said of the initiative, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome your important initiative in this regard, and I would like to express the Arab League’s total readiness to cooperate… in order to ensure a positive role for the representatives and components of the Darfur civil society in the settlement of the crisis and mending the social texture in Darfur.”
Furthermore European Union backed this civil society solution to the Darfur crisis. European Union commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel said, “International efforts have hitherto tended to focus on the Government and armed groups rather than on the civil having taken the conscious decision not to take up arms. I therefore welcome your initiative, which addresses this weakness and raises awareness among the conflicting parties of the concerns of the people of Darfur.”
(ST)
On the net http://www.mandatedarfur.org/en/