PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
UN chief, Gambari welcome inauguration of Darfur Regional Authority
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said Wednesday's inauguration of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) marked an important milestone in the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and a significant step forward in the pursuit of permanent peace in the area.
Ban's message at the inauguration was read by the United Nations/African Union Mission (UNAMID) representative in Darfur, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
“The Secretary-General looks to the Sudanese Government and the Liberation and Justice Movement to carry the peace process forward and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations system to support the Darfur Regional Authority," Ban said in the message.
He urged the parties to take all necessary measures to equip the Authority to fulfill its responsibility to promote reconciliation, early recovery and development so that peace dividends would be realized by and equitably shared among the population of Darfur.
Ban appealed to Khartoum and the armed movements, who did not sign the agreement, to enter into negotiations towards a final agreement immediately and without preconditions.
In his own message, Professor Gambari stressed that the African Union (AU), which initiated the peace agreement in 2004, was indeed encouraged by the demonstration of interest in the fate of Darfur and its people.
“The presence of regional leaders and members of the international community at this occasion is a testimony to the importance that is attached to promoting peace, stability, justice and development in this region," he said.
The UNAMID chief said for the people to fully benefit from the dividend of peace, the DRA, as the main instrument for the implementation of the DDPD, must be able to carry out its responsibilities and duties.
"The onus for this primarily is on the signatory parties to demonstrate commitment and responsibility in the implementation of the agreement,” he said. “We must remind ourselves that there is still a lot of work to be done to capitalize on the gains of the DDPD so that Darfur can return to a situation of peace and stability that it has enjoyed before 2003.''
Prof. Gambari said the AU had always stressed the importance of stability in Darfur and Sudan in general, and warned of the negative and serious implications that the continuation of the conflict would have on the region and the continent as a whole.
“The African Union will not spare any efforts in supporting the people of Darfur and Sudan as they seek stability and development for the region and the country. In this regard, I urge all other movements that are still outside of the peace process to join it so that together we shall vigorously pursue comprehensive peace in a more rigorous and inclusive manner,” Prof. Gambari said.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 8Feb2012
Ban's message at the inauguration was read by the United Nations/African Union Mission (UNAMID) representative in Darfur, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
“The Secretary-General looks to the Sudanese Government and the Liberation and Justice Movement to carry the peace process forward and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations system to support the Darfur Regional Authority," Ban said in the message.
He urged the parties to take all necessary measures to equip the Authority to fulfill its responsibility to promote reconciliation, early recovery and development so that peace dividends would be realized by and equitably shared among the population of Darfur.
Ban appealed to Khartoum and the armed movements, who did not sign the agreement, to enter into negotiations towards a final agreement immediately and without preconditions.
In his own message, Professor Gambari stressed that the African Union (AU), which initiated the peace agreement in 2004, was indeed encouraged by the demonstration of interest in the fate of Darfur and its people.
“The presence of regional leaders and members of the international community at this occasion is a testimony to the importance that is attached to promoting peace, stability, justice and development in this region," he said.
The UNAMID chief said for the people to fully benefit from the dividend of peace, the DRA, as the main instrument for the implementation of the DDPD, must be able to carry out its responsibilities and duties.
"The onus for this primarily is on the signatory parties to demonstrate commitment and responsibility in the implementation of the agreement,” he said. “We must remind ourselves that there is still a lot of work to be done to capitalize on the gains of the DDPD so that Darfur can return to a situation of peace and stability that it has enjoyed before 2003.''
Prof. Gambari said the AU had always stressed the importance of stability in Darfur and Sudan in general, and warned of the negative and serious implications that the continuation of the conflict would have on the region and the continent as a whole.
“The African Union will not spare any efforts in supporting the people of Darfur and Sudan as they seek stability and development for the region and the country. In this regard, I urge all other movements that are still outside of the peace process to join it so that together we shall vigorously pursue comprehensive peace in a more rigorous and inclusive manner,” Prof. Gambari said.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 8Feb2012
