Former Darfur rebel chief participates at meeting of Sudan and Qatar leaders

October 10, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — The leader of the former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) Tijani al-Sissi participated in a meeting on Darfur held in Doha on Monday between the visiting Sudanese president and Emir of Qatar.

President Omer Hassan al-Bashir arrived yesterday afternoon to Doha where he held talks with the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on Darfur and bilateral economic cooperation. Foreign minister Ali Karti said Qatar wants to establish strategic relations with Sudan in the field of investments.

Sissi who is appointed as chairman of Darfur Regional Authority will return to Khartoum next Saturday for the first time since the signing of Doha Darfur Peace Document on 14 July 2011. He will be flanked by the Qatari state minister for cabinet affairs, Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud.

The head of Darfur authority told the official SUNA that “the meeting was positive and friendly”. He further said upon his arrival to Khartoum he will start to complete the organs of the regional authority and the implementation of the DDPD.

The head of the follow-up office for the DDPD implementation, state minister Amin Hassan Omer said Sissi and Sissi and his delegation will stay in Khartoum two days before to depart for Darfur.

He further said that a number of measures are undertaken before the start of DDPD implementation to avoid any delay and or generating feeling of frustration on the level of ordinary citizen.

The Office recently urged the National Assembly to endorse a bill establishing a Human Rights Commission and other bodies included in the text of the framework document for peace in Darfur.

Amin said they are dealing also with the central bank to establish a bank for small investments besides following the establishment of Qatari Bank for Darfur Development with the Qatari authorities and the Islamic Bank for Development (IBD).

Doha pledged two billion dollars and donors meeting for Darfur co-organized in Cairo by Egypt and the IDB in March 2010 generated 850 million dollars .

Sudanese government on the other hand pledged to pay two billion dollars for development projects but many doubt about Khartoum’s capability to disburse this money as the country has failed to secure four billion for 2012 budget.

Before to leave Khartoum for Doha Bashir called on the non-signatory rebel groups to join the DDPD. He said the warm welcome that the LJM delegation received in Khartoum and Darfur demonstrates the sincere desire of Darfur people for peace.

(ST)