Taking Darfur off the list of UN conflicts and concerns was one of his top priorities, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during a recent trip to Sudan.
Speaking to the press in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur capital, Mr. Ban said, “My commitment and resolve have become firmer.” The comments came following a visit to one of the IDP camps in Darfur where he said conditions had “shocked and humbled” him.
Ban Ki-moon greeting Sudanese officials in
El Fasher, North Darfur
Emphasizing that peace and security were important preconditions for the displaced to return to their own homes and land, he said, “For that, early deployment of the hybrid force will be extremely important.”
Recognizing that peace in Darfur was closely linked to implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the Secretary-General said, “The CPA and peace and a harmonious relationship between south and north Sudan will mean a lot for the future of Sudan.” He was referring to holding the elections in 2009, and the referendum in 2011.
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At the same time the SG expressed concern over delays on several fronts in CPA implementation. Unfinished issues like the redeployment of forces, demarcation of the boundaries and resolving the Abyei dispute.
Ban Ki-moon speaking to the press in El Fasher,
North Darfur
He also emphasized the need to augment the hybrid operation with a “political process” to bring an end to the difficulties and hardships Darfurian and Sudanese people had suffered.
“I am going to be continuously engaged in bringing an end to this issue as soon as possible, through the political negotiation process, through early deployment of the hybrid force,” he said.
The next round of final negotiations with the Darfur rebels will be held at the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on 27 October this year. Agreeing on the need to have all divergent viewpoints on board, the SG called for the broadest possible participation.
“This is going to be the official formal negotiation...... I hope, and I strongly urge, that they all participate” he stated. It may be recalled that Abdul Wahid al-Nur, one of Darfur’s key rebel leaders, was absent during the last round of negotiations in Arusha, Tanzania. |
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