Khartoum, 18 December 2011 – Efforts to achieve lasting peace in Darfur took a step forward with the inaugural meeting today of the Joint Commission (JC), a key institution that will ensure the effective implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Final Security Arrangements provisions of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

The Joint Commission is one of two ceasefire monitoring and implementation mechanisms provided for in the DDPD. Its role is to resolve disputes referred to it by the Ceasefire Commission, the other mechanism. The Joint Commission is to be a forum where the political leadership of the parties can ensure implementation of the DDPD provisions related to ceasefire and security arrangements.

The Commission is chaired by Ibrahim Gambari, the Joint Special Representative (JSR) of the African Union-United Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), and membership includes the two parties to the DDPD – the Government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM)-- as well as representatives of the State of Qatar which hosted two years of talks that produced the DDPD, the League of Arab States and the European Union. In addition, Canada, China and Norway also serve as observers in the Commission.

In his opening address, JSR Ibrahim Gambari stressed the critical role of the Commission in advancing the implementation of the peace agreement. He also noted that the parties are responsible for the timely and effective implementation of the ceasefire and security arrangements.

“I urge the Liberation and Justice Movement to take its obligation seriously and accelerate its engagement in the ceasefire process,” he said. “I also call on the Government of Sudan to demonstrate continued flexibility and leadership to ensure rapid progress of the peace agreement.”

 The meeting considered a report on the status of the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Final Security Arrangements from UNAMID’s Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Patrick Nyamvumba, who chairs the Ceasefire Commission (CFC). The CFC met seven times since its establishment on 22 August, following the signing of the DDPD on 14 July, 2011.

The report noted that while insecurity continues, there has been a considerable decrease in military clashes between the Sudanese Government forces and the non-signatory movements since the signing of the DDPD and within the area of operation of UNAMID.

 In recent public pronouncements, JSR Gambari has deplored continuing insecurity in parts of Darfur as well as attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers which resulted in the death of four in two separate incidents in October and November this year. He has also repeatedly called on holdout movements to engage in the peace process.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Susan Manuel, Deputy director, manuels@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)92 241 0274

John Chiahemen, Media Relations Chiahemen@un.org mobile: +249 900 905 271.