Sudan’s minister of justice defends Um Jaras meeting on Darfur crisis
November 27, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s minister of justice, Mohamed Bushara Dousa, who also chairs the high committee for the implementation of the findings of Um Jaras forum on peace, security, in Darfur defended the forum and pointed that it is not a negotiation forum.
Dousa, briefing the members of the national unity government council on Tuesday about the outcome of the meeting, said that the objective of the forum is to end war and bring stability and development, describing it as a true support for the Doha Documents for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).
He said that the forum emphasised the importance of bringing the 10-year war to an end and achieving peace, asserting that the participants in the forum reiterated the call for the armed groups to join the peace process in order to achieve just and lasting peace in Darfur.
Dousa further demanded all political forces to advocate the outcome of the forum, pointing that committee for the implementation of the forum’s findings held more than 20 meetings with the Darfurians in Khartoum state as well as holding similar meetings in Darfur states.
Dousa who is also a Zagghaw tribal leader was the instigator and the organiser of this meeting.
Earlier this month, Dousa’s initiative was criticised by another Darfurian tycoon Siddiq Wadah who is also a member and MP of the ruling National Congress Party.
Wadah, who heads a liaison committee with the non-signatory rebel groups, criticised statements made by the president Deby in the meeting as the latter vowed to carry out war against the rebels in Darfur if the tribe fails to persuade them to join peace.
The United Nations estimates as many as 300,000 people have been killed and almost 3 million people have been displaced during the ongoing conflict in the region, however, the Sudanese government put the number of dead at only 10,000.
(ST)