Global Arab Network | Sudan, Qatar: Darfur Peace Negotiations Continue in Doha

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Sudan, Qatar: Darfur Peace Negotiations Continue in Doha

Global Arab Network - - Gamal Ragay

Saturday, 01 January 2011 00:56

Qatar (Doha) – Qatar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud said that the Darfur peace negotiations is continuing in Doha and that all parties concerned with peace are committed to Doha platform until a just and comprehensive peace that all of the people of Darfur and the Sudanese people are seeking is reached.

Addressing a press conference held this evening at Doha Sheraton Hotel jointly with UN/AU Joint Mediator for Darfur Djbrill Bassole, Al Mahmoud said that the mediation will hold on 6 January in Doha two meetings. One of them will be for the joint Arab-African ministerial committee on Darfur, while the other will be for special envoys of the Permanent Security Council Member States and the European Union.

He also explained that the mediation through the Darfur peace process in Doha has been following two tracks in its policy to end the conflict. One of them is negotiations, while the second is consultations, Al Mahmoud said.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs added that the mediation has two principles, namely achieving a comprehensive peace backed by people concerned and a vision for a lasting peaceful resolution in Darfur.

Al Mahmoud stressed that the Sudanese government was committed to negotiations, adding that 'They (the Sudanese government) have officially informed us that they back this platform'.

He pointed out that the return of the government delegation to Sudan does not mean putting an end to the peace process and talks in Doha, adding 'We have agreed with the government side to remain in touch, and they are ready to return to the peace process when it is required.'

HE the Minister presented in detail the great efforts spared by the mediation in terms of both negotiation and consultation tracks.

In negotiation track, he said, a number of framework agreements between the government and the Justice and Equality Movement, in addition to an agreement to build confidence were signed.

A framework agreement between the government and the Liberation and Justice Movement as well as an agreement for a cease-fire to continue negotiations were signed, he noted.

In consultation track, the mediation held meetings with peace stakeholders in Darfur, Al Mahmoud said, referring in this context to his visit along with Bassole to Khartoum and the states of Darfur and Juba, as well as to the Republic of Chad.

During this visit, meetings were held in Khartoum with Sudanese President and the heads of political parties, and in the states of Darfur with governors and government members, and civil society representatives, and elected officials as well as with refugees in their camps to listen to their views on peace, he said.

In Juba, the mediation met with First Vice Sudan's President and President of the Government of South Salva Kiir, who stressed his support for the mediation efforts and the Darfur peace process in Doha, Al Mahmoud added.

After returning to Doha from Sudan, the mediation visited the Republic of Chad, where a meeting with President Idriss Deby was held and was very fruitful and during which Deby stressed his support for the peace process and gave us his ideas on how to push the peace process, the Minister said.

Following that meeting, he added, the mediation visited the Darfurian refugees' camp in Chad and listened to their views on means of attaining a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Al Mahmoud said that the outcomes of the conducted negotiations and consultations both inside and outside Doha were incorporated in the Darfur peace document, which was presented to people in Darfur during the last visit as a solution vision and they have fully supported it.

He noted that the mediation is gearing up to complete the document which will be open to anyone who wants to incorporate his views. Pointing out that this document is the result of general and different consultations and negotiations.

The Minister went on to say that the mediation have received a response from the Sudanese government with regards to proposal by the mediation on the outstanding issues between them and the Liberation and Justice Movement and which include the unification of the region or keeping it divided into three states, but is waiting for a response from the movement to continue its preparation for the final peace document.

The Mediation, he added, had also handed over to each of the government and the Justice and Equality Movement their respective response and comments regarding a draft agreement on cessation of hostilities between them, adding that the expected document will be an inclusive peace document to find a solution to the conflict as soon as possible.

UN/AU Joint Mediator for Darfur Djbrill Bassole stressed the mediation's commitment to talks and consultations with all Darfurian people and the international actors to ensure that no one is sidelined, to realize a lasting and comprehensive peace, and to achieve economic and social development in the region.

Bassole stressed that mediation is seeking to reach a comprehensive agreement and not a partial one, pointing out that the military option will not end or solve the region crisis.

He added that the mediation welcomes any work or effort that enhance peace in Darfur, saying that in light of the current volatile situation in Darfur it is impossible to have internal movements joining the peace initiative.

UN/AU Joint Mediator also stressed that Khartoum did not reject peace, and that Doha has not closed the doors, pointing to the presence of guarantees from the government to accede to the formulas proposed by the mediation to reach a comprehensive peace in Darfur.

He also touched on negotiation track in Doha and thanked the State of Qatar under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for its efforts and facilities provided to the Doha forum on Darfur peace, which have given the people of Darfur everything possible for the sake of peace (QNA)

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