Darfur authority urges security measures to ensure IDPs return
July 29, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — Chairman of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), Tijani el-Sissi highlighted the need to improve security conditions in Darfur as prerequisite to start the return of displaced civilians to their home.
Sudanese government accuses Darfur rebel groups of targeting villagers to get food and other commodities but the rebel groups deny strongly such accusations saying their attacks are directed against military garrisons and government forces.
However, the recent surge of violence hampers the efforts the DRA is conducting to implement a deal signed in Doha between the former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) and Khartoum government in July 2011.
Speaking after a meeting held with the interior minister and the head of DDPD implementation follow-up office, Sissi said he discussed the need to protect the areas where the IDPs are supposed to return and to undertake the necessary security measures.
He told reporters also he asked to protect the commercial convoys the rebel groups ambush frequently and expressed the need include the holdout movements in the peace process.
The ruling National Congress Party and LJM agreed Saturday that the LJM can start contacts with the holdout rebel groups to encourage them to join the Doha framework document.
On the other hand, Interior minister Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid told reporters that the meeting discussed DRA plans for the IDPs voluntary return and agreed on the security measures to be taken to protect the areas of return and the farming and grazing activities.
The meeting also, according to the minister, discussed the issuance of identity cards for the IDPs in the five states of Darfur, adding that also an agreement was reached over this issue.
In its latest report to the UN Security Council, UNAMID said the progress achieved in the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) is mainly focused on establishing the regional institutions and the participation of LJM in the national government.
Regarding the realisation of the promised peace dividend such as support of IDPs return, development projects etc., the report said it “is less apparent and will require considerable and sustained investment.”
Tadjadine Bechir Niam, DRA Minister of Reconstruction, Development and Infrastructure, and head of LJM political sector, said on Sunday their Movement was working with defence ministry to finalise the implementation of security arrangement before to register as political party, as stipulated by the elections law.
(ST)