Mbeki is not mediating Darfur conflict: Sudanese official
August 12, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The head of Darfur peace implementation follow-up office state minister, Amin Hassan Omer, said that the former South African president Thabo Mbeki is not tasked with peace process in Darfur region.
“Darfur file remains the responsibility of the international community which was a witness to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur” he further said, and pointed to the support of the Doha text by the United Nations, the African Union and the Arab League.
During a short visit to Khartoum on 3 August, Mbeki met President Omer al-Bashir and discussed with him the ongoing efforts to hold the national dialogue and resumption of his activities to facilitate the internal political process.
Following the meeting, several officials including presidential assistant, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid, expressed the government interest for talks with Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) to end the four year conflict in the Two Areas.
Hamid also said Darfur rebels have to sign the DDPD and to negotiate a security arrangements agreement dealing with the disarmament, demobilization and integration process.
The head of Darfur peace office further told reporters that the rebel groups have no presence inside the country.
“They are now in Libya, South Sudan or tourists in other countries,” he said.
However, he stressed the government’s willingness to reach a peace agreement “with those who want peace” and commit themselves to the DDPD, adding that the file of those who continue to refuse peace will be considered as “security file”.
In line with the decision 456 of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), Mbeki is tasked with the facilitation of national dialogue process. According to his mandate he has to convene talks for a cessation of hostilities agreement followed by security arrangements deal.
After what, he has to convene a national dialogue preparatory meeting to discuss the procedures and matters related to the internal process, including the guarantees for the rebel delegations .
(ST)