Darfur authority says peace parties failed to implement security arrangements

November 13, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) has admitted the failure of the peace parties to implement the security arrangements accord signed by the government and the Justice and Liberation Movement (LJM).

In accordance with the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) the Cease Fire Commission (headed by the hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) has to conduct the verification of the former rebel combatants before their integration in the regular arm or disbandment.

However very quickly the Sudanese army refused to admit as former rebel fighters many elements presented as have being LJM fighters. Nonetheless, the Sudanese presidency last year directed the army to show more flexibility and to soften its standards.

The legislative body of Darfur regional authority passed on Wednesday a report prepared by the RDA commission for legal and security matters stating that the national government and LJM as well as the other parties involved in the mechanism have failed to finalise the verification exercise.

The report considered as “unjustified” the delay in the implementation of security arrangements.

The head of the security commission recommended to form a committee headed by the council’s chairman to discuss the implementation of the security arrangements with the two parties and the members of the ceasefire commission.

The ad hoc body has also to facilitate the integration of the former rebel commanders, the report said.

Last year, DRA chairman and LJM leader Tijani El Sissi accused the UNAMID of delaying the verification process of his troops.

However, the UNAMID in its report of 10 January 2013 said the exercise had been delayed because of “a lack of preparedness by LJM or because of accessibility issues”.

(ST)