PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Joint commission on peace, security in Darfur meets
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Efforts to achieve a lasting peace in Darfur got a boost Sunday with the inaugural meeting of a joint commission designed to ensure the effective implementation of the permanent ceasefire and final security arrangement provided for by the Doha Document of peace in Darfur (DDPD), according to a press statement from the African Union United Nations (UNAMID).
The joint commission, one of two ceasefire monitoring and implementation mechanisms provided for in the DDPD, is tasked with the job of resolving disputes referred to it by the other mechanism -- the ceasefire commission (CFC).
The joint commission is a forum where the political leadership of the parties can ensure implementation of the DDPD provisions relating to ceasefire and security arrangements.
The press statement pointed out that the commission is chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Joint Special Representative (JSR) of the African Union United Nations Hybrid Operations in Darfur, and the membership includes the two parties to the DDPD -- the government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement -- as well as representatives of the state of Qatar which hosted two years of talks that produced the DDPD, the league of Arab states and the European union.
Canada, China and Norway also serve as observers in the commission.
In his opening address, Gambari stressed the critical role of the commission in advancing the implementation of the peace agreement, noting that the parties were responsible for the timely and effective implementation of the ceasefire and security arrangements.
''I urge the liberation and Justice movement to take its obligation seriously and accelerate its engagement in the ceasefire process," the statement quoted Gambari as saying, adding that ''I also call on the government of Sudan to demonstrate continued flexibility and leadership to ensure rapid progress of the peace agreement.''
The meeting considered a report on the status of the implementation of the permanent ceasefire and the final security arrangements from UNAMID force Commander Lieutenant General Patrick Nyamvumbva, who chairs the ceasefire commission.
The CFC has met seven times since its establishment on 22 August, following the signing of the DDPD on 14 July, 2011.
The report noted that while insecurity continues, there has been a considerable decrease in military clashes since the signing of the DDPD and within the areas of operation of UNAMID.
In recent public pronouncements, Gambari had deplored continuing insecurity in parts of Darfur as well as attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers which resulted in the death of four operatives in two separate incidents in October and November this year.
He also has repeatedly called on holdout movements to engage in the peace process.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 18Dec2011
The joint commission, one of two ceasefire monitoring and implementation mechanisms provided for in the DDPD, is tasked with the job of resolving disputes referred to it by the other mechanism -- the ceasefire commission (CFC).
The joint commission is a forum where the political leadership of the parties can ensure implementation of the DDPD provisions relating to ceasefire and security arrangements.
The press statement pointed out that the commission is chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Joint Special Representative (JSR) of the African Union United Nations Hybrid Operations in Darfur, and the membership includes the two parties to the DDPD -- the government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement -- as well as representatives of the state of Qatar which hosted two years of talks that produced the DDPD, the league of Arab states and the European union.
Canada, China and Norway also serve as observers in the commission.
In his opening address, Gambari stressed the critical role of the commission in advancing the implementation of the peace agreement, noting that the parties were responsible for the timely and effective implementation of the ceasefire and security arrangements.
''I urge the liberation and Justice movement to take its obligation seriously and accelerate its engagement in the ceasefire process," the statement quoted Gambari as saying, adding that ''I also call on the government of Sudan to demonstrate continued flexibility and leadership to ensure rapid progress of the peace agreement.''
The meeting considered a report on the status of the implementation of the permanent ceasefire and the final security arrangements from UNAMID force Commander Lieutenant General Patrick Nyamvumbva, who chairs the ceasefire commission.
The CFC has met seven times since its establishment on 22 August, following the signing of the DDPD on 14 July, 2011.
The report noted that while insecurity continues, there has been a considerable decrease in military clashes since the signing of the DDPD and within the areas of operation of UNAMID.
In recent public pronouncements, Gambari had deplored continuing insecurity in parts of Darfur as well as attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers which resulted in the death of four operatives in two separate incidents in October and November this year.
He also has repeatedly called on holdout movements to engage in the peace process.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 18Dec2011
