UNAMID and Sudan envoys discuss link between peace and security in Darfur
27 February 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Invited by the head of UNAMID, special envoys for Sudan from China, France, United Kingdom, United States and European Union met Saturday to discuss “The nexus between Peace, Security, Recovery and Development in Darfur”.
The meeting welcomed the provisional peace agreement signed on Tuesday between the Sudanese Government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and urged the two parties to implement it “without delay”.
Praising the efforts conducted by the Joint Chief Mediator Djibiril Bassole to finalize a similar framework between Sudanese government and a newly formed rebel group, the Liberation and Justice Movement led by El Tijani El-Sissi, the participants urged all the rebel movement to join the peace process quickly.
“They express the hope that these developments should translate into a speedy positive impact on the ground and call on all parties to refrain from engaging in violence,” read a statement released today from the Rwandan capital.
Mrs. Louise Mushikiwabo Rwanda’s foreign minister in a speech delivered at the opening session of the meeting urged the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to strengthen UNAMID capacity by providing the required utility transport aircrafts and to “mitigate the state of deplorable infrastructure” in Darfur in order to facilitate the ceasefire monitoring, support recovery and development, and enhance reconciliation in Darfur.
With regard to the humanitarian situation in the restive region, the statement stressed the “need to for a coordinated and dual-track approach to humanitarian relief and early recovery to consolidate gains and plan for the future”.
They also pointed out the persistence of “generalized insecurity” in the region despite the improved security and humanitarian conditions over the years, the statement said.
Dealing with justice, the participants called to end impunity and the need to try perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
The Russian special envoy Mikhail Margelov was represented by a diplomat at the embassy of his country in Kigali, while Djibril Bassole Darfur peace mediator was represented by his deputy Amb. Azouz Ennifar, said UNAMID spokesperson Noureddine Mezni.
Also were present at the meeting were the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and the acting head of the United nations Mission in Sudan.
(ST)