UNMAID agrees that Darfur conference to be held after peace deal – rebels
April 21, 2011 (DOHA) — A rebel group and the head of the hybrid peacekeeping mission agreed that a dialogue process in Darfur should be held only after the signing of a peace agreement in Doha and after fulfilling the requested conditions to hold it.
On 8 April, the African Union Peace and security Council charged the head of the UNAMID to start the preparations for the contested Darfur Political Process (DPP) and suggested to start it on 1 May 2011.
Led by the former South African President Thabo Mbeki, the DPP is rejected by rebel groups who consider that a number of conditions should be met before its start. They also describe Mbeki as “tool” to implement Khartoum policy and to officialize the status quo in Darfur.
“The two parties agreed that he internal peace process is complementary and should not substitute or be parallel to the ongoing peace process in Doha,” said the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), after a meeting held with Gambari.
The rebel group emphasized that they further agreed that the “appropriate conditions” should be established in Darfur before the political process which intends to preach reconciliation and redemption among traditional leaders, civil society groups and IDPs.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council on wednesday, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Atul Khare, said the DDP “must take place in an environment that will guarantee its credibility” through ensuring unhindered participation by all.
“The intention of the Government to lift emergency law will go along way toward fulfilling these conditions,” Khare added.
The Sudanese government and LJM are discussing a compromise over the pending issue of Darfur administrative status. The chief negotiator of the rebel groups said two days ago they are optimistic that a deal would be reached before the deadline fixed by the mediation.
The mediators, this week asked the parties to finalize direct discussions over the remaining issues before the 27 April where they intend to present a draft peace agreement to the three parties and to hold the stakeholders conference on 18-23 May.
LJM said they stressed during the meeting that UNAMID must play an impartial and transparent role in the process of selecting and transporting the participants in this conference and to protect them from arrest, intimidation and denial of participation .
(ST)
tamar
UNMAID agrees that Darfur conference to be held after peace deal – rebels
Practically,Gambari is very dramatic and pragmatic character why are you more concern about darfur conference more than people of darfur? What I know,your mission or mandate is to provide security to the innocents and civilians and you completely failed to do that, you suppose to talk about conflict suspension,stopping rape, bombing of villages,and creating conducive environment to hold meaning negotiation process,this will bring meaningful and lasting peace to our people which will be widely supported regionally and internationally,then you start talking about darfur stakeholders conference and reconciliation process, but I thinh you want to create another Abuja which is totally rejected by our people in Darfur Region
Paul Ongee
UNMAID agrees that Darfur conference to be held after peace deal – rebels
tamar,
I agree with you brother. The name, look, indecisivess and lack of quick response reflect Khartoum behavior. Gambari was, is and will remain Gambari who cares nothing in Darfur. He gives green lights to Khartoum security agents to do whatever they like in IDPs Camp of their choice.
The security agents want to make sure IDPs are standing only with Khartoum NOT JEM/NUR or any rebel fighting for freedom, peace, equal development and justice for all people of Darfur in particular and Northern Sudan at large.
Paul Ongee
Khartoum Watch