Representatives of the Government of Sudan (foreground) face representatives of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) at the meeting of the Joint Commission. Photo by Albert González Farran

1. The Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) Joint Commission held its second meeting on 15 October 2012 in Khartoum.  The meeting was chaired by the African Union-United Nations Acting Joint Special Representative and Joint Chief Mediator a.i., Ms. Aichatou S. Mindaoudou, and was attended by the signatories to the DDPD, the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) and the State of Qatar, the League of Arab States and the European Union as Members of the Commission. China and Canada attended as Observers, while Norway regretted its inability to attend.
 
2. The meeting reviewed action points from the Inaugural Meeting held on 18 December 2011 and expressed satisfaction that most decisions taken have been implemented.
 
3. The Commission considered the report presented by the Chairperson of the Ceasefire Commission (CFC), Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, on the status of the implementation of the provisions of the Permanent Ceasefire and Final Security Arrangements of the DDPD.
 
4. The Commission noted that the verification of the LJM forces and strength took place on 5-9 March 2012. The Commission, however, expressed grave concern that the outcome of the verification exercise remains inconclusive, and consequently, no tangible progress has been made towards the implementation of the most critical aspects of the Final Security Arrangements. The Commission cautioned that any further delay in breaking the stalemate will continue to slow down the process and impede the establishment of a secure environment needed for the voluntary return of IDPs and refugees and for the execution of reconstruction and development projects.  The Commission, therefore, strongly urged the Parties to continue to demonstrate commitment and flexibility towards reaching an agreement on the way forward in the interest of security, stability, and peace in Darfur.
 
5. As a way forward, the Commission decided that the Parties, under the supervision of the Ceasefire Commission, should conclude the verification exercise in areas not verified, and conduct a desk review of the outcomes by 15 November 2012.
 

6. On the issue of Disarmament and Disbandment of Militia Groups in Darfur, the Commission noted that the Government of Sudan had submitted a comprehensive plan as stipulated by the DDPD, and further noted that the Chairperson of the CFC has duly reviewed and returned the plan to the Government of Sudan for some modifications. The Commission welcomed GoS decision to respond to the CFC Chairperson’s observations by 12 November 2012, and observed that the full implementation of the provisions related to the disarmament and disbandment of armed militia, will mitigate increasing number of security incidents in Darfur.
 
7. The Commission commended the Parties for their spirit of cooperation and commitment to peace in Darfur and encouraged them to ensure the full and timely implementation of the provisions related to the Permanent Ceasefire and Final Security Arrangements in the interest of peace, security and development in Darfur.
 
 
KHARTOUM, 15 OCTOBER 2012