Darfur mediator to hold second workshop on peace with rebels
November 5, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The joint chief mediator and head of the African Union United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) announced that Darfur rebel groups would participate in a workshop aiming to discuss the humanitarian situation how to bring peace in Darfur.
The chief mediator was last week in Kampala where he met with the rebel groups to discuss the organisation of this workshop.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council on 23 October Ibn Chambas said exploring ways to hold a workshop on issues regarding a humanitarian cessation of hostilities in Darfur and efforts towards a comprehensive peace.
Addis Ababa meeting would be a follow-up to the 5-day meeting held in Arush, Tanzania, last August to discuss peace in Darfur.
The rebel groups, at the time, reiterated their rejection to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and demanded to hold a comprehensive process to negotiate the resolution of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan conflicts.
They also said this process should lead to a new constitution and democratic change in Sudan.
After being briefed by the joint mediator, the African Union Peace and Security Council on 19 October issued a warning to the non-signatory groups, demanding to join the negotiating table without preconditions.
The Council also threatened to “take measures and recommend to the UN Security Council to do the same against those impeding the search for peace in Darfur”.
However, the rebel groups maintained their position saying they would not hold talks on the basis of the DDPD, stressing that the comprehensive solution remains the best approach to bring peace and stability in Darfur and Sudan.
Darfur rebel leaders and their allies of the SPLM-N are expected to start this week an European tour to explain their position over the comprehensive peace process which includes opposition political parties.
(ST)