The Darfur Internal Dialogue and Consultations (DIDC) Follow up Mechanism (FUM) and UNAMID DIDC Secretariat recently concluded two DIDC conferences in Beida and Kulbus localities, West Darfur.

Provision of basic services, strengthening the native administration and implementing activities such as mobilizing people to promote a culture of peace, are some recommendations drawn from the two conferences.

The DIDC conference, held on 17 and 18 January 2017, in Beida, West Darfur, brought together some 127 people, including native administration officials, women, youth, displaced persons, nomads and religious leaders.

Addressing the gathering, Osman Yousef, Commissioner, Beida, said that the outcome of the DIDC will contribute to peace, stability and development in Darfur. He also disclosed plans of similar conferences in the region aimed at encouraging community leaders to end violence in their various localities.

In his remarks, Tarig Ibrahim, Director, Peace Studies and Development Centre, University of El Geneina, expressed appreciation to the international community for its contribution towards promoting peace and stability in Darfur.  “I call on all participants to address the root causes of the conflict and put an end to the Darfur crisis,” stated Dr. Ibrahim.

Ezeldin Khalil, representative, DIDC- FUM, emphasized the importance unified efforts by all parties to enhance peace initiatives among different communities. He reminded all participants of the importance of the DIDC programme which is enshrined in Chapter 7 of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

For his part, Adam Bashar, Commissioner, Kulbus, urged participants to explore ways to promote peace by ensuring access to social services as well as development initiatives. “To build a new Sudan, we must consult and negotiate with each other. Then we must draw a road map for peace,” he said.

Suaad El Barjo, Deputy Chair, FUM, Beida, encouraged all participants to embrace their socio-cultural diversity and offer recommendations that promote peace and stability. She also expressed appreciation to UNAMID and UNDP for their contributions to DIDC activities.

Another DIDC conference, attended by some 150 participants, was successfully held in Kulbus, West Darfur, from 29 to 30 January.

The internal dialogue and consultations meetings are conducted in line with the DDPD; they are aimed at consolidating peace by promoting confidence-building and reconciliation amongst the people of Darfur, in particular, and Sudan, in general.