19 July 2011 - UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari today urged the African Union's Peace and Security Council to "lend its weight" to convince all Darfuri parties to engage "urgently and sincerely in the search for comprehensive peace in Darfur" through an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and re-engagement in the political process.

His address came on the heels of the 14 July signing in Doha of a protocol agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement. Professor Gambari, who is currently serving as Joint Chief Mediator ad interim for the Darfur peace process, briefed the AU Council on the Doha process as well as on developments on the ground in Darfur.

While last week's agreement in Doha was an "important step forwards," the JSR said, "huge challenges remain," among them--how to broaden the peace process, how to ensure its local ownership, how to proceed without a comprehensive peace agreement and how to establish an enabling environment of human and civil rights, in order for a local peace process to take place inside Darfur. He asked the AU Council to call on the Government of Sudan to lift its emergency laws in Darfur.

In the wake of the independence of the Republic of South Sudan and following the formal conclusion of the Doha peace process, new mechanisms and strategies may be needed to achieve a durable and sustainable peace in Darfur, he said.

He noted that UNAMID's renewed and robust patrols and its Operation Spring Basket had contributed to the opening of humanitarian access so that communities isolated by conflict for as many as two years are now able to receive assistance.

"Our present strategy of relentless and frequent demarches with both the Government of Sudan and the armed movements will be continued," he said, as well as UNAMID's contribution to the voluntary returns of refugees and internally displaced persons and to early recovery and development for all Darfuris.

He is to deliver his latest report on UNAMID and the situation in Darfur to the UN Security Council in New York on 22 July.
 

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