Darfur stakeholders endorses ceasefire draft

Darfur stakeholders endorses ceasefire draft

The Darfur Stakeholders have endorsed a Doha draft document as the basis for reaching a permanent ceasefire.

The agreement, a comprehensive and inclusive peace settlement and sustainable peace and stability in Darfur, was the outcome of an All Darfur Stakeholders (ADSC) Conference held in Doha.

The conference involved the Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees, Civil Society, the Government of Sudan, the Movements, Elected Officials, Darfuris in the Diaspora, Political leaders and their international Partners.

Specific details

In a statement, the stakeholders called on the Government of Sudan and the Armed Movements to make every effort to reach a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive peace settlement on the basis of the draft.

The stakeholders strongly urged all the other armed movements of Darfur and the Government of Sudan to end hostilities and to sign a ceasefire agreement.

The Conference looks forward to the Conference report that summarizes the views of all the stakeholders.

More importantly, the stakeholders paid tribute to the State of Qatar and the Joint Mediation for their patience, perseverance and for all the efforts they put forth, which led to the significant achievements of the Doha Process and the development of the document.

It noted that despite the progress made in the negotiations, the security situation in Darfur remained unstable.

Clarion call

Given the direct humanitarian consequences of this situation, the Conference called upon the Doha negotiating parties to abide by the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreements already signed.

The meeting equally welcomed the readiness of the State of Qatar to host the signing of an agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Darfur armed Movements, based on the outcomes of the Conference.

The group endorsed the formation of a Darfur Implementation Follow-Up Committee (IFC) chaired by the State of Qatar to include other International Partners. The IFC will work with the African Union and the United Nations to assist the Parties in reaching and implementing an inclusive and comprehensive agreement.

The Conference looks forward to a planned transition to the implementation phase, including an internal process of consultation and dialogue, which should take place in the appropriate enabling environment under the supervision of the African Union and the United Nations.

Commendations

The Conference commended the international partners for their longstanding support and commitment to the peace process and encouraged them to continue to sustain their invaluable contribution and support until lasting peace was found for Darfur.  

The Conference congratulated the negotiating Parties and the Mediation for the following agreements that have so far been signed in Doha since the beginning of the process:

 Achievement of peace process

The Conference noted the very significant progress and the substantial achievements of the Doha peace process, accomplished through discussions, consultations and direct talks on all the identified issues. These include compensation and return of IDPs and refugees, power sharing and administrative status of Darfur, wealth sharing, human rights and fundamental freedom, justice and reconciliation, permanent ceasefire and final security arrangements, mechanism for internal dialogue and consultation and implementation modalities.

PR/Qasim