PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Students examine political, economic solutions toward peace in Darfur
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - More than 300 students from North Darfur's main university on Thursday debated whether an economic or political solution was the answer to the conflict in Darfur, plagued by crisis since 2003.
The annual debate, attended by the State's most senior official as well as the head of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), addressed "Sustainable Peace in Darfur: is the solution political or economic.", the African Union/United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNAMID) said in a press statement Thursday .
The statement said while majority of students attending voted for the political solution, some saw that both paths together were needed for a sustainable peace.
"Both political and economic solutions are equally important and cannot be separated in achieving peace," said Majida Ahmad, a lecturer at Al Fashir University."Darfur has suffered a lot during the conflict. Achieving peace now would be possible only if there will be fair policy, and job opportunities that should be given without ethnic discrimination."
The occasion, organized by the university's Centre for Peace and Development, was opened by North Darfur Governor, Osman Mohamed Yousif Kibir, and UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Ibrahim Gambari.
"Education is critical to peace, and it is fully addressed in the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur," Gambari was quoted as saying. "You students are the hope and the future of Darfur. Your constructive engagement will be key in advancing and consolidating the efforts for peace."
Gambari urged the students to familiarize themselves with the peace document which is currently under implementation in Darfur and the subject of dozens of community workshops across the region:
"The parties (to the agreement) must continue their efforts and increase the pace to bring the tangible dividends of peace to all Darfuris," he said. "But this needs to happen soon."
"The subject is critical," said governor Kibir, referring to the debate's title.
"Had this debate happened at the beginning of the crisis, things could have turned out differently…We cannot separate the two tracks," the governor was quoted as stressing.
"The solution lies in engaging all the communities' components in power and asset sharing and...The need to increasing the living standards for all of our people… with job opportunities to all Darfuris and equal share of services to all areas. Otherwise that will be the excuse for more conflict." the governor added.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 1March2012
The annual debate, attended by the State's most senior official as well as the head of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), addressed "Sustainable Peace in Darfur: is the solution political or economic.", the African Union/United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNAMID) said in a press statement Thursday .
The statement said while majority of students attending voted for the political solution, some saw that both paths together were needed for a sustainable peace.
"Both political and economic solutions are equally important and cannot be separated in achieving peace," said Majida Ahmad, a lecturer at Al Fashir University."Darfur has suffered a lot during the conflict. Achieving peace now would be possible only if there will be fair policy, and job opportunities that should be given without ethnic discrimination."
The occasion, organized by the university's Centre for Peace and Development, was opened by North Darfur Governor, Osman Mohamed Yousif Kibir, and UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Ibrahim Gambari.
"Education is critical to peace, and it is fully addressed in the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur," Gambari was quoted as saying. "You students are the hope and the future of Darfur. Your constructive engagement will be key in advancing and consolidating the efforts for peace."
Gambari urged the students to familiarize themselves with the peace document which is currently under implementation in Darfur and the subject of dozens of community workshops across the region:
"The parties (to the agreement) must continue their efforts and increase the pace to bring the tangible dividends of peace to all Darfuris," he said. "But this needs to happen soon."
"The subject is critical," said governor Kibir, referring to the debate's title.
"Had this debate happened at the beginning of the crisis, things could have turned out differently…We cannot separate the two tracks," the governor was quoted as stressing.
"The solution lies in engaging all the communities' components in power and asset sharing and...The need to increasing the living standards for all of our people… with job opportunities to all Darfuris and equal share of services to all areas. Otherwise that will be the excuse for more conflict." the governor added.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 1March2012
