Doha, 25 September 2013 – The African Union and United Nations Joint Special Representative (JSR) and Joint Chief Mediator (JCM) for Darfur, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, attended the sixth meeting of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) Implementation Follow-up Commission (IFC) which took place in Doha, Qatar, on 23 September.

He also attended, earlier the same day, the inaugural meeting of the Council for Reconstruction and Development in Darfur which reviewed the Darfur Development Strategy achievements in capacity building and institutional development which will assist in the implementation of projects.

Both meetings were chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar, H.E. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, and were attended by the Government of Sudan represented by Sudanese Minister of State Dr. Amin Hassan Omer, Dr. El Tigani Seisi, Chairperson of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), and the Justice and Equality Movement-Sudan (JEM/Bashar), represented by Mr. Osman Nahar.

In his opening remarks at the IFC meeting, JSR/JCM Chambas told the parties that achieving substantial progress on the ground was critically important to the success of the peace process as the DDPD had raised expectations. “The absence of such progress could lead to scepticism and diminishing faith in the Doha Document,” he emphasised.

The Head of UNAMID warned that the deteriorating security situation, increasingly marked by localized inter-tribal fighting in many parts of Darfur, could undermine the DDPD implementation and stall development programmes being instituted under the Darfur Development Strategy.

The JSR expressed his satisfaction with the progress made in the area of justice, particularly with regard to the Special Court and the intention of the Special Prosecutor for Darfur to investigate the killing of the leader of JEM/Bashar and of seven UNAMID peacekeepers in Khor Abeche in July. He noted that more progress was required in the areas of realization of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Mr. Chambas spoke of his hope that the consultations he held in Arusha with two non-signatory movements “will lead to a more realistic outcome, which will bring an end to violence and usher in a stable environment and durable peace in the region and in Sudan as a whole.” 

The JSR reaffirmed UNAMID’s commitment to the peace process in Darfur: “I can confirm to you that UNAMID will do everything within our capacity to facilitate and bolster the efforts of this Council, the signatories to the DDPD and the implementing humanitarian agencies to make the Darfur Development Strategy real to the people of Darfur.” 

The JSR expressed his appreciation to the Government of Qatar for its “unwavering support to the peace efforts through their work as part of the Darfur Mediation” and the hosting of both meetings.