On 15 November 2016, UNAMID's DDPD Implementation Unit within the Political Affairs Section, facilitated a Darfur Internal Dialogue and Consultations (DIDC) meeting in Kalimando locality, North Darfur, as part of the DIDC process, which is designed to give an opportunity to Darfuris at the grassroots level to contribute to the DDPD implementation and the ongoing peace process. The meeting was attended by the DIDC Implementation Follow-Up Committee (IFC), UNAMID’s Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR)-Political, representatives from the Government of Sudan, African Union, European Union, State of Qatar, as well as other members of the diplomatic corps based in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

More than 150 participants including pastoralists, farmers, women, native administration, and youth took part in the meeting, where contentious issues of mutual concern were discussed in a frank yet cordial atmosphere.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Dialogue Implementation Committee (DIC), Sidiq Wad’aa, alluded to the DIDC process as a requirement for comprehensive peace in Darfur and called on the Government of Sudan and the international community to provide the necessary support to facilitate the completion of the DIDC programme. “ We extend our appreciation to the State of Qatar, Government of Sudan, and the European Union, for their support and financial contributions; to UNAMID, African Union, and UNDP for partnering in facilitating this important process, as well as DIC members, Doha Follow-up Mechanism (FUM) and Peace Centres for their important role in the implementation process. We also call on the international community to further support diaspora and IDP consultations. We appeal on all those with requisite influence to persuade the non-signatory movements to join the peace process, " Mr. Wad’aa urged.

On his part, UNAMID DJSR-Political, Kingsley Mamabolo, observed that the DIDC programme is a concrete way to ensure inclusive involvement of all stakeholders to the conflict, especially at the local level. “UNAMID is of the view that the DIDC process remains as one of the residual activities of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), following the conclusion of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA). UNAMID is committed to supporting the process for the foreseeable future. DIDC is a great opportunity for Darfuri people to actively contribute to a durable peace in the region,” DJSR Mamabolo explained.

Others speakers at the ceremony include the Ambassador of Qatar, the Head of Delegation from the European Union and the Deputy Wali of North Darfur

Following the conclusion of the official proceedings, vibrant consultations on several issues affecting Darfur, including proliferation of weapons, banditry, the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), land rights, illegal occupation of land, tribal clashes, and so forth, continued for an additional two days.

The outcome of the DIDC consultations will inform state level discussions scheduled to hold after the locality consultations.