July 22, 2011 (NEW YORK) — The African Union and United Nations Special Representative for Darfur today stressed on the crucial need to stop fighting in western Sudan and engage negotiations between all the Sudanese parties to achieve a comprehensive peace in the restive region.

Ibrahim Gambari briefs the Security Council on 22 july 2011 (UN)

The head of the hybrid peacekeeping operation (UNAMID) and ad joint ad interim mediator, Ibrahim Gambari on Friday briefed the UN Security Council on the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in Doha on 14 July and the security situation in the restive Darfur.

Gambari, who hailed the Doha peace agreement, highlighted in his briefing to the Council the continued fighting between the governmental troops and the rebel groups saying all these clashes challenge the security environment in Darfur.

He cited particularly attempts by the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Minni Minnwai to retake Shangil Tobaya in North Darfur. He further underlined the clashes during the past period between the Sudanese army and the SLM of AbdelWahid Al-Nur in Jebel Marra. He also mentioned the fighting between the two rebel factions against the regular army.

"It is now crucial that the Government and hold-out movements, including the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)-Abdul Wahid and SLA-Minni Minawi, agree to cease hostilities and discuss in good faith an inclusive, comprehensive peace agreement," Gambari told the 15 member council.

Gambari also spoke about a parallel process advocated by the head of the African Union panel, Thabo Mbeki and supported by the AU Peace and Security Council, adding " and that the political process towards that end was locally owned, credible, transparent and free".

The Doha peace process which includes representatives of Darfur camps residents and refugees, civil society groups and tribal leaders has set also a mechanism for dialogue among the stakeholders. It further established a follow-up mechanism headed by the State of Qatar and includes the former joint mediator Djbril Bassole and the five UN Security Council members and the European Union.

The follow-up committee which will meet in September is tasked to continue the peace talks between the government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and to bring the rebel SLM led by Al-Nur to the negotiating table. Khartoum refuses to include Minnawi in the Doha process saying he can only discuss the implementation of Abuja peace agreement he signed in 2006.

NEW BASSOLÉ OR GAMBARI

Asked by the press after the meeting about his appointment as new mediator, Gambari said he is appointed as Joint Chief Mediator ad interim because Bassole who is now the foreign minister of Burkina Faso cannot assume this role" because of the issue of accountability".

He however pointed out that the UN and the AU are still discussing on whether to appoint a "New Bassolé or allow this interim arrangement to continue".

The AU Peace and Security Council was clear in its support for Gambari to broker the peace talks with the rebel groups but the reluctances seem coming from New York. The Security Council is also undecided on the Darfur based political process of the AU panel, but Gambari presented it as part of his plan for peace in Darfur.

The UNAMID boss told the Security Council that between 60,000 to 70,000 people have been displaced since the start of the year. But he nevertheless underlined progress on the humanitarian efforts citing the lifting of movement restrictions in South Darfur remote areas and also in Kalma camp where aid groups are now allowed to work.

In his report to the Council for the renewal of the UNAMID mandate which will expire on 31 July, Ban Ki-moon said "A new road map is being prepared to reach a meaningful settlement to the conflict, which will require a broad-based buy-in from all part".

He further urged "the international community to be united in their messages to the Government, SLA-Minni Minawi, SLA-Abdul Wahid and JEM to cease hostilities and enter into negotiations without preconditions".

(ST)