11 January 2010 - UNAMID’s Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari today concluded a working visit to Qatar where he met the Qatari State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmad Abdullah Almahmoud.

They exchanged views on the ongoing consultations with the Darfur rebel movements and the Government of Sudan, assessing the statutes of these consultations and agreeing on the way forward.

The Qatari Minister of State stressed the importance of the role of the civil society organisations in support of the peace process and requested that UNAMID play an active and leading role in ensuring that the genuine voices of the civil society are heard. The Minister also reiterated Qatar’s readiness to significantly contribute to Darfur’s recovery and reconstruction, noting that the people of Darfur have suffered a lot and need peace and development. He also expressed optimism at the progress made in the ongoing peace negotiations, and called on all parties to participate in the talks.

It is worth mentioning that during his visit to Doha, the JSR held consultations with negotiating teams from the Sudanese Government and the rebel movements as well as with the Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé.