US reiterates support for Darfur’s Doha accord

April 10, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The United States deputy charge d’affaires in Sudan Christopher Rowan affirmed that the solution to the Darfur conflict could only come through dialogue and negotiations and not through arms, stressing his country’s support for the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

During a visit to North Darfur state in which he met with governor Mohamed Osman Yussef Kibir, the US diplomat said that achieving security in the restive region remains the biggest concern for of his country.

Rowan also emphasised the importance of providing humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Darfur, adding that this will require the concerted efforts of everyone to consolidate security and stability.

He also presented a US initiative to support education and culture in North Darfur noting that the work will be concentrated in the capital city of El-Fasher. Rowan further said that there will be experts who will perform studies to decide on what can be provided in this regard.

Kibir for his part said that the government is looking at a compromise formula to bring non-signatory rebels on board the DDPD and urged US and international support for these efforts.

He called on the United States to change the “negative outlook” towards Sudan for the sake of the oppressed in Darfur and to play a positive role in resolving the Darfur crisis.

The governor also urged the US to put pressure on the rebels to join the DDPD and also appealed for US to support to early recovery projects as the best solution to the needs of the people of Darfur .

Kibir said that the situation is now ripe to receive development projects especially after the stabilisation of the situation in Darfur underscoring the desire of the people of Darfur in achieving lasting peace.

Last month, the US ambassador at the UN, Samantha Power, reportedly called on African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) members to find an alternative forum to resolve the Darfur crisis, saying the DDPD has become outdated and cannot be relied on.

Power’s remarks drew strong condemnation from Khartoum which said that US actions encourage the non-signatory groups to impose their own agendas on Darfur people and Sudanese people in general.

Earlier today, the US deputy charge d’affaires met with the Sudanese presidential assistant Musa Mohamed Ahmed and discussed with him the situation in eastern Sudan and the course of the implementation of the 2006 East Sudan peace agreement.

(ST)