ReliefWeb

Doha/ QNA/12 May 2009 / In the framework of the continuity of the current Doha peace process to resolve the problem of Darfur, a delegation from Sudan Government of National Unity, led by H.E. Dr. Amin Hassan Omar, Minister of State at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, met in Doha in the period 4th -12th May 2009, with a delegation from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). A Foreign Ministry press release, issued today explained that the purpose of the meeting was to pursue the implementation of the Agreement of Goodwill and Confidence-Building concluded between the Government and the Movement in Doha on 17 February 2009, under the auspices of H.E. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Cabinet of the State of Qatar, and Mr. Djibiril Bassole the AU/UN Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur. "The meetings were marked by a spirit of understanding. The two sides reiterated their commitment to the peace process, reaffirmed their attachment to Doha as the venue of negotiations and expressed their willingness to fully cooperate with the Mediation in order to achieve a peaceful negotiated settlement to put an end to the problem of Darfur,'''' the press release said. Regarding the release of prisoners, the press release said, the two parties exchanged lists of their respective prisoners and detainees and agreed to set up a joint committee with the participation of the Mediation to verify these lists and set them in their final forms with a view to accelerating the process of releasing the said persons.

Concerning the humanitarian situation, the press release explained that the two parties have taken note of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the international community, represented in the United Nations and by the Special Envoy of the American President for Sudan and in the light of the announcement of the Government of Sudan that it will permit new humanitarian organizations to work in the Darfur, and the statement issued by Mr. John Holmes, UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator in which he welcomed this step by the Sudanese government and the commitment by some countries to provide more humanitarian assistance to Darfur. It added that the mediation will follow up this issue with all the concerned parties in order to ensure the improvement of the humanitarian situation and continuity in accordance with the measures, procedures and mechanisms to be developed by the Government of National Unity and the United Nations to that effect. "The two parties also agreed to maintain their representatives in Doha in order to remain engaged in the peace process in accordance with the Agreement of Goodwill and Confidence-Building indicated above and to prepare for the next meeting, which will take place on 27 May, 2009," the press release explained. Concluding, it said the two parties have expressed thanks and appreciation of the efforts exerted by the State of Qatar in hosting these meetings.