ReliefWeb

Doha/QNA/7 September 2009 / H.E. the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud met here today with the UN/AU Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole to discuss and agree on the future plan of action aimed at settling peace in Darfur. Af after the meeting the following communique was issued: Mr. Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar and Mr. Kjibrill Bassole, the AU/UN Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur, held consultations in Doha (Qatar) to discuss ways of advancing the peace process an achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in Darfur. They welcomed the initiatives undertaken to unify the Darfur armed movements in Libya, as well as those of the US special Representative, General Scott Gratian. Recalling the relevant provisions of the Tripoli communiqu of 10 August 2009, Minister Al-Mahmoud and Mr. Bassoe expressed the hope that these unification efforts would contribute to the cohesion of the armed movements, their ability to develop common negotiating positions and their willingness to begin negotiations with the Government of National Unity of Sudan.

Taking into account the time required for the movements to finalize their consultations on unification and participation in the peace process, the Qatari minister and the mediator agreed that talks between the Government of national unity of Sudan and the Darfuri armed movements would resume in the last week of October 2009. In advance of these peace talks, Minister Al-Mahmoud and Mr. Bassole will invite the armed movements to participate in a capacity building workshop to be held in Doha during the first week of October. The workshop will offer the participants an opportunity to discuss issues related to the peace process, including the improvement of security for the people of Darfur and socio-economic development. The Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Mediator also agreed to organize a civil society forum in Doha with the participation representatives of all Darfuri communities. The civil society forum, which will be held prior to the commencement of final peace talk, will enable reconciliation and promote sustainable development in Darfur. The State Minister and the Mediator call upon all the parties to the Darfur conflict, in particular the signatories of the Doha Goodwil Agreement of 17 February 200, to take all necessary measures to foster confidence and promote dialogue for the restoration of a lasting peace in Darfur.