19 November 2009 - During the opening of the Darfur peace talks currently being held in Doha, under the auspices of the African Union-United Nations (AU-UN) Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur, Mr. Djibrill Bassolé and facilitated by the Qatari Government, both the Acting Joint Special Representative (JSR a.i.) of UNAMID, Mr. Henry K. Anyidoho and Mr. Bassolé stressed the importance of the participation of Darfur’s civil society, as well as all stakeholders, in the negotiations.

“The growing consensus that would emerge in the civil society consultations here in Doha will certainly have a positive impact on the next round of talks... and I am hopeful that this will reinvigorate the entire peace process,” JSR Anyidoho stated. “I firmly believe that if all participants continue along this path and are able to engage the belligerents on the need to lay down their arms and agree on a lasting peace agreement for Darfur, we should see further improvements very soon.”

The JSR a.i. also pointed to the role of the international community and that of UNAMID in bringing a lasting solution to the Darfur conflict, stressing that, “Only when all stakeholders, including the international community, speak with one voice will the improvements that we can already see on the ground in Darfur become sustainable and encompassing.”

He further committed UNAMID to “providing all possible assistance to the Mediation [Joint Mediation Support Team] until a comprehensive Darfur peace agreement is achieved”.

For his part, the Joint Mediator expressed the fervent hope that “at the end of these peace talks, we will agree on an overall accord that will include a cessation of military hostilities and political and security arrangements.”

Further stating that such an agreement should “bring a definitive and lasting peace to Darfur and reinforce Sudan’s stability”, he urged all “belligerents and all other actors to help create a safe and favourable environment for the children and youth of Darfur”.

The Doha forum presents the opportunity for the Sudanese Government and rebel movements to negotiate and agree on common measures that would help push the Darfur peace process forward. The first meeting of this forum was held in February this year. The current meeting is the first one in which civil society is participating. It is scheduled to end tomorrow, Friday 20 November.