MISSION STATEMENT:

In response to what many see as a deadlocked situation in Darfur, in which Sudanese people are still losing their lives, the African Union and the United Nations launched a joint initiative to meet with a wide constituency to explore the needs of all involved in the conflict and in good faith bridge the spaces between them in the belief that the people of Darfur can live in harmony.

In order to accomplish this, the AU Commission Chairperson and the Secretary General of the United Nations have appointed Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim and Mr. Jan Eliasson respectively as their non-resident representatives, to engage in a process of exploration, consultation and mediation between the parties and all stakeholders in the peace process.

In this, the Envoys will be supported in Khartoum and Darfur by a Joint Mediation Support Team to monitor the situation, take consultations and advise the envoys accordingly.

Starting from the common agreement amongst the parties that there could not be a military solution to the problem in Darfur, the representatives are using their joint and complementary experience, and the faith placed in their respective organizations, to re-energise the political process and bring a lasting peace to Darfur.