Darfur authority appoints justice and reconciliation bodies

May 25, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The head of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), Tijani Al-Sissi, on Sunday appointed members of two important bodies tasked with achieving justice and reconciliation in the region under the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

The DDPD provides for the establishment of an independent Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC). This commission is to be composed of the Justice Committee, as well as that on Truth and Reconciliation.

The peace framework document, which was signed by the government and the former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in July 2011 also provides that the attributions of these committees should not prejudice the jurisdiction or the powers of the Special Court for Darfur; another organ set up by the DDPD.

Al-Sissi appointed former general Tayel Abdel Rahman as chairman of the 21-member body of justice. The tribal leader (Sharttai), Ibrahim Abdallah is assigned as head of truth and reconciliation committee, which comprises of 25 members .

In line with decree, the truth and reconciliation committee will evaluate the root causes of the 11-year conflict and investigate the human rights violations committed in Darfur since 2002 and develop the culture of confidence-building and reconciliation in the region.

The justice committee, the other hand, will receive claims submitted by affected people, assess and determine the nature and amount of compensation. The victims have the right to file their claims during a 10-year period starting from a date to be fixed by the committee.

The DRA is described in the framework document as the principal instrument for the implementation of peace in Darfur together with the federal government. The DDPD also provides that the members of the two organs are designated in common accord between the peace partners.

The DDPD was signed between the government and the former rebel LJM on 14 July 2014 after more than two years of discussions in Doha. The dissident faction of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) joined the framework agreement on 6 April 2013.

The two former rebel groups complain from the delay in the implementation of the peace agreements, particularly the implementation of the security agreement and the lack of necessary related funds, to the return of displaced persons.

(ST)