Qatari official confirms meeting with Darfur rebels in Doha
May 9, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The head of the international follow-up committee for peace implementation, and Qatari Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, Monday said that he is coordinating with the joint chief mediator, Martinn Uhomoibhi, to convince more rebel groups to sign the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).
He added that he received messages from leaders of some rebel movements, expressing their interest to negotiate in Doha a final peace agreement based on DDPD.
“I have briefed peace partners on these messages and we welcome all rebel groups willing to join the peace process,” he further told reporters at the meeting of the follow-up committee which is held in Khartoum for the first time.
However, the Qatari official said the mediation has no hope that the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur joins the peace process.
Last January, Al-Mahmoud met in Paris with Ibrahim and Minnawi on their request to discuss their demand to open the Doha framework document for discussions.
During, the meetings brokered by the African Union mediation team in Addis Ababa, the two Darfurian groups said they want a specific deal on some matters related to their region before to engage in a holistic process on all the Sudan.
However, the Qatari deputy prime minister who co-mediated the with the former joint chief mediator Gibril Bassolé the peace process, ruled out the opening of the DDPD, stressing that the peace document is a framework text for peace and an agreement.
He further said that any agreement can be annexed to the DDPD.
AU –UN Joint Special Representative, Martinn Uhomoibhi, who is also the joint chief mediator has participated for the first time in this annual international meeting on the peace implementation in Darfur.
While addressing the opening session of the 11th meeting, al-Mahmoud acknowledged the challenges facing achieving a comprehensive peace in Darfur.
He referred to the tribal conflicts and the abundance of light and heavy arms in the region, which fuels tribal clashes.
Al-Mahmoud said that they are beyond DDPD jurisdictions; however he hailed Darfur Regional Authority and the security arrangement committee efforts to collect arms in Darfur.
“Some of DDPD items remain partly unimplemented particularly the compensations, adding that is due to cause beyond the parties’ control,” he said, adding that the lack of financial resources negatively has impacted the implementation of the agreement.
Commenting on the future of Darfur Regional Authority specialized committees, al-Mahmoud said Voluntary Return, Security Arrangements, Justice and Reconciliation commissions and Darfur Rehabilitation Fund need to continue implementing their mandate.
He said that International Darfur Peace Follow-up Office will continue following the activities of these specialized commissions.
Al-Mahmoud further announced that the Sudanese government will establish a body attached to the presidency and chaired by a minister to replace the DRA which will be dissolved next June.
Regarding the voluntary return of refugees and displaced people to their villages, al-Mahmoud said this is a main concern for the committee. He called on Darfur states governors to support voluntary return and to enhance the IDPs’ ability to be productive.
(ST)