DDPD is the only framework for peace in Darfur, international body

April 9, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – An international body to follow up the ongoing efforts to settle the 10-year conflict in western Sudan reiterated that the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) represents a valid framework to restore stability in the region.

Sudanese government and a faction of the Justice and Equality Movement led by Mohamed Bashar (JEM-Bashar) signed a peace agreement on the basis of the DDPD on 6 April. However, three historical groups refuse to join to the document and demand holistic process including democratic change in Sudan.

The Implementation Follow-up Commission (IFC) chaired by the Qatari deputy prime minister Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud held a meeting on Tuesday in Doha to discuss the implementation of the DDPD which is now inked by two rebel groups the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) and JEM-Bashar.

The meeting was briefed by UNAMID chief Mohamed Ibn Chambas on the implementation of the peace document, and “reaffirmed the international community’s support to the DDPD as the only framework for peace in Darfur”, said a statement released after the meeting.

Al Mahmoud said that the DDPD contributed to the decline of violence and improved security situation in large parts of the troubled region and condemned the recent rebel attacks which “impede peace and development efforts in Darfur”.

Western representatives during the donor conference reaffirmed their support to the DDPD but underlined the lack of progress in the implementation of justice and reconciliation chapter and the disarmament and demobilisation process.

Also Khartoum was blamed for not honouring its financial commitments.

“It is true there are some challenges and difficulties, but we think that any serious delay or major shortcomings in the implementation of the Doha Document could have a negative impact on Darfur, Sudan and the entire region”, Al-Mahmoud said.

The Qatari minister further called on the holdout rebel groups to join the peace process on the basis of the DDPD saying “We are on the right track and peace is the solution”.

The meeting was attended by IFC members from Burkina Faso, Chad, China, Egypt, France, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the European Union, and UNAMID.

JEM-Bashar also attended the meeting for the first time besides LJM and the Sudanese government.

(ST)