DARFUR IN PERSPECTIVE

By Professor David Hoile

Published by The European - Sudanese Public Affairs Council

Appendix 5

JOINT COMMUNIQUE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN AND THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF
THE SECRETARY GENERAL TO SUDAN

29 June - 3 July 2004
• Deeply concerned with the grave situation in the Darfur region of the Sudan;

• Alarmed by the number and severity of conditions of the internally displaced in Darfur and refugees in Chad which, if not addressed with urgency, may deteriorate to catastrophic levels;

• Aware of the urgent need to stop the continuing attacks on the targeted civilian population in Darfur, particularly by the Janjaweed and other outlaw armed groups, and to ensure security in the region consistent with the humanitarian ceasefire agreement signed by the government of Sudan and the rebel groups (SLM and JEM) in May;

• Convinced of the need to stop all human rights violations in the region;

• Convinced too of the urgency of resuming the talks between the Government of Sudan and the Darfur rebel groups (SLM and JEM) and speedily reach final settlement to address the root causes of the conflict;

• Aware of the positive impact the implementation of an eventual agreement on the South will have in the settlement of the conflict in Darfur and the establishment of durable peace in the Sudan as a whole;

• Recognizing the recent improvement in achieving humanitarian access to Darfur granted by the Government of Sudan to the United Nations, including humanitarian organizations and African Union monitors, as well as welcoming the increase in the provision of assistance to the internally displaced and other vulnerable groups by local and national authorities, international agencies and non-governmental organizations;

THE UNITED NATIONS:
1. Pledges to do its utmost to help alleviate the humanitarian need of the affected population in Darfur and Sudanese refugees in Chad consistent with its 90-day Humanitarian Action Plan.

2. Will assist in quick deployment of African Union ceasefire monitors

3. Stands ready to continue to help in the mediation on the South and on Darfur

4. Commits itself, subsequent to Security Council resolutions, to assist implement agreements reached on South Sudan and Darfur; to that end, the UN shall continue the preparations it has started for a possible peacekeeping role when agreements are reached.

THE GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN COMMITS ITSELF TO:

1. ON HUMANITARIAN ISSUES:
Implement a 'moratorium on restrictions' for all humanitarian work in Darfur, and removes any other obstacles to humanitarian work, including:

• Suspension of visa restrictions for all humanitarian workers and permitting freedom of movement for aid workers throughout Darfur.

• Permitting immediate temporary NGO registration through a simple notification process that OCHA will offer to manage on behalf of NGOs; permanent registration shall be processed within 90 days.

• Suspension of all restrictions for the importation and use of all humanitarian assistance materials, transport vehicles, aircraft and communication equipment.

2. ON HUMAN RIGHTS
• Undertake concrete measures to end impunity.

• Undertake immediate investigation of all ceases of violations, including those brought to its attention by the UN, AU and other sources

• Ensure that the Independent Investigation Committee, established by presidential decree in May, receives the necessary resources to undertake its work and that its recommendations are fully implemented.

• Ensure that all individuals and groups accused of human rights violations are brought to justice without delay.

• Allow the deployment of human rights monitors.

• Establish a fair system, respectful of local traditions, that will allow abused women to bring charges against alleged perpetrators.

3. ON SECURITY:
• Deploy a strong, credible and respected police force in all IDP areas as well as in areas susceptible to attacks.

• Train all police unit in human rights law and hold them responsible for upholding it;

• Ensure that no militias are present in all areas surrounding IDP camps.

Immediately start to disarm the Janjaweed and other armed outlaw groups.

nsure that immediate action is taken to rebuild the confidence of the vulnerable population and that any return of the displaced to their homes is done in a truly voluntary manner in line with the current Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement.

4. ON POLITICAL SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICT IN DARFUR:
• Resume the political talks on Darfur in the shortest possible time to reach a comprehensive solution acceptable to all

• As peace in Darfur is a requisite for peace in the South, welcome the international community's role in assisting the implementation of an eventual peace agreement in Darfur.

IMPLEMEMTATION MECHANISM:
1. The Government of Sudan and the United Nations agree to form a high level Joint Implementation Mechanism (JIM) for this agreement.

2. The Government of Sudan and the United Nations delegates to the JIM shall be lead by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Sudan and the SRSG for the UN and its partners.

3. The JIM shall closely follow and appraise development and periodically report on the progress in the implementation of this agreement to the Government of Sudan and the United Nations.

KHARTOUM, 3 July 2004