Sustainable peace in Darfur is closely linked to return of IDPs – Qatar’s minister

July 3, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The return of the displaced and refugees Darfurians to their homeland is closely linked to the realization of sustainable peace in Sudan’s restive region of Darfur, said the Qatari state minister for foreign affairs on Saturday.

Minister Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud made these remarks at a meeting held Saturday in Doha with the representatives of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in eastern Chad. The consultative meeting aims to collect their positions and proposals and to consider it in the negotiations between the government and rebels.

“Solving the problem of displacement and asylum is closely linked to the achievement of sustainable peace in Darfur,” said Al-Mahmoud in statements reported by the Qatari news agency.

Al-Mahmoud further said that the mediation intends through this meeting to listen to “their vision and their suggestions” on the seven year conflict in Darfur which “delayed their voluntary return to their homes and places of origin,” he stressed.

The minister pointed out that the State of Qatar dedicated two billions US dollars to implement recovery and development projects aiming to support a sustainable peace in the region.

“We have begun work to establish some emergency projects in Darfur to help in this regard even before the signing of peace agreement. We are not only (there with you) during your return, but will be with you also after your return to your places,” he said.

The government and the rebel delegations last month agreed that talks on compensations and return of IDPs and refugees would only start in presence of their representatives. The government and rebel delegation met with the IDPs and refugees who started to arrive since 29 June.

The meeting is boycotted by IDPs and refugees supportive for the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW).

The Qatari minister called on the rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement and the SLM-AW to reconsider their position from the Doha process and join the negotiating table in Doha in order to reach a comprehensive peace deal.

He also reiterated Qatar’s determination to follow up its efforts hand in hand with the Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole to achieve peace Darfur.

Al-Mahmoud also hailed the region support to the Doha process stressing that Libya coordinates closely with them seeking to achieve peace in Darfur.

“We are all in the same boat and we have the same goal,” he said, brushing aside reports about the expulsion of the Libyan envoy to Darfur, Mohamed Garsallah from Doha.

(ST)