INFO NOTE 06/07/2010

INFORMATION NOTE

El Fasher, 6 July 2010 - The Second retreat of the Joint Special Representative (JSR) of the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) with Special Envoys for Sudan concluded yesterday, Monday 5 July 2010, after taking stock of developments in Darfur since the holding of the first Envoys’ Retreat in Kigali, and to further develop the international community’s shared understanding of, and approach to, the situation in Darfur, in the wider context of Sudan.

Present at the Retreat were the Special Envoys for Sudan of China, Russia, Austria, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, the European Union and the League of Arab States, the AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur and the Special Representative of the Secretary‐General in Sudan. The high‐level representatives of France, Japan, the United Kingdom, United States, the African Union Commission, United Nations Secretariat, UNICEF, and of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees were also present.

“You are here as individual Representatives of countries or organizations which have demonstrated long standing commitment to helping the people of Sudan to end two major conflicts and achieve lasting peace and stability in this country,” JSR, Ibrahim Gambari, told the participants.

The participants reviewed developments since their last meeting on 27 February 2010 in Kigali, and welcomed the peaceful conduct of national elections in Sudan in April, and the continuing rapprochement between Sudan and Chad.

They also expressed support for the Mediation and commended its achievements so far, including the increased participation of Darfurians, especially civil society and internally displaced persons and refugees, in the peace process.

Moreover, the participants welcomed the negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement but noted that there was a need for an all‐inclusive process that would lead to the conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement for Darfur.

They agreed that it was imperative to reach a lasting solution to the conflict in Darfur before the end of the year, so that peace can take hold throughout Sudan ahead of the crucial referendum on the self‐determination of South Sudan in January 2011, and that national efforts to reach sustainable peace can continue thereafter.

The participants expressed grave concern over the deterioration in the situation in Darfur in recent months and the new challenges this has presented in efforts to bring peace, stability and humanitarian response to Darfur. They called on the Government of Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement to immediately cease hostilities and embrace dialogue. They also expressed concern over increased ethnic violence and the high rates of criminality, including the phenomenon of kidnapping of international workers and attacks against UNAMID personnel, which constitute war crime, and called for the release of all remaining hostages.

They called on the Government of Sudan to take appropriate measures to bring perpetrators to justice and to end impunity.

The participants welcomed the increase in UNAMID’s outreach initiatives and protection of civilians. They underscored the need for full humanitarian access and freedom of movement for UNAMID and the humanitarian community. In particular, the meeting stressed the need for the Government of Sudan to lift all restrictions on the use of UNAMID air assets.

The participants commended UNAMID, UNMIS, the Mediation and the AU High‐Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) for regular interface and productive collaboration. They stressed the importance of making full use of existing coordination mechanisms to help the Sudanese achieve durable peace in their country. They also welcomed the initiative of convening this second retreat of an expanded group of Special Envoys and holding it in El Fasher. They agreed that there should be a follow‐up to the conclusions of the Retreat.

UNAMID JSR, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari commended the participants and assured them that “My colleagues in UNMIS, the Mediation Team and UNAMID are very much encouraged and appreciative of your support and the trust which you have placed in our respective and collective duties in Sudan.”

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