DIDC Implementation Committee Discusses Recommencement of the Locality-level Dialogue in Darfur

On 18 April 2016, the Darfur Internal Dialogue and Consultations (DIDC) Implementation Committee held a meeting at UNAMID’s headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur to discuss modalities to recommence the second phase of the dialogue at the locality-level in Darfur’s five states. Photo by Salah Mohammed, UNAMID.

20 Apr 2016

DIDC Implementation Committee Discusses Recommencement of the Locality-level Dialogue in Darfur

On 18 April, the Darfur Internal Dialogue and Consultation (DIDC) Implementation Committee held a meeting at UNAMID Headquarter in El Fasher, North Darfur. The meeting, attended by UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative DJSR), Ms. Bintu Keita, Chairman of the DIDC Implementation Committee, UNAMID DIDC Secretariat and Implementation Committee Members, discussed modalities for the recommencement of the second phase of the locality-level dialogue and consultation process to be held in the five states of Darfur in early May, 2016.  

Addressing the opening session, DJSR Bintou Keita, highlighted the importance of stimulating dialogue at the grassroots level in all parts of Darfur, in conformity with the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD). Ms. Keita expressed the Mission’s readiness to continue to support the implementation of the DIDC process to achieve peace, stability and development in Darfur.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Chairman of the DIDC Implementation Committee, Sidig Wadah, expressed his appreciation to UNAMID for its efforts in supporting the DIDC implementation process and reaffirmed the Committee`s  readiness to work closely with the Mission to implement the remaining  phases of the dialogue.

Ambassador Osman Dirar, a member of the DIDC Implementation Committee, later stated that the meeting had discussed the continuation of the locality level dialogue in all Darfur states. “We appeal to the donor community to fulfill its budgetary commitments and immediately release funds to facilitate the completion of the consultation process,” he added. Ambassador Dirar also commended the active participation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in the DIDC dialogue and consultation process.

The Head of the Coordination Office for IDPs in South Darfur, Omda Hassan, who is also a member of the DIDC Implementation Committee, confirmed that the IDPs have actively participated in the dialogue processes in all the five states in Darfur. He encouraged all parties to implement the recommendations and the outcome of the locality level meetings. “We would like to emphasize the importance of discussing the return of the IDPs to their places of origin and the strengthening of the social fabric in Darfur. I also call upon the non-signatory rebel movements to join peace talks in an effort to achieve comprehensive peace in Darfur,” Omda Hassan added.

In 2015, around 21 consultations were conducted at the locality-level across Darfur, in addition to four meetings held in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum for the Darfuri community residing in the city.  These consultations have focused on the root causes of the conflict in Darfur including the inter-communal clashes, power and resource sharing, justice and reconciliation processes. Plans are underway to conduct 26 locality-level meetings in all states of Darfur in the near future.