JOINT STATEMENT OF SLM AND JEM ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE 13TH MEETING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION FOLLOW-UP COMMISSION OF THE DOHA DOCUMENT FOR PEACE IN DARFUR
15 July 2018
On 11 July 2018, the State of Qatar hosted the 13th meeting of the Implementation Follow-Up Commission (IFC) of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD). As neither the Justice and Equality Movement Sudan (JEM) nor the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) were signatory parties to the DDPD, we were of course not present at the meeting. Nonetheless, we were specifically referenced in the published meeting outcomes. SLM and JEM (collectively, “the Movements”) are thus compelled to respond to the outcomes of the meeting.
With specific regard to the outcome statement of the 13th Meeting of the IFC, while there may be claims of “relative peace and calm” in Darfur, there can be no good faith assertion that Darfur has achieved peace or that it is safe and secure place for its civilians. Any “relative” peace in Darfur only carries an impression of peace because it is relative to some of the worst fighting and abuses the world has ever seen. Conflicts continue across Darfur on a daily basis, displacing thousands more civilians every month and preventing the return of hundreds of thousands of persons already displaced. Just because there is relatively less conflict does not mean there is no conflict or that the war is over. As long as there is conflict and the root causes of that conflict remain unaddressed, no one can claim that there is peace in Darfur.
Moreover, the IFC’s outcomes statement does not accurately portray the status of negotiations of the overall peace process. Specifically, the ongoing negotiations are not for a “permanent cessation of hostilities agreement;” rather, the Movements’ ongoing talks with the Government are for the pavement of the ground for future negotiations including cessation of hostilities, political negotiations targeting the root causes of the conflict and eventually permanent ceasefire arrangements. The Movements remain committed to achieving a negotiated solution to the conflicts in Darfur, and we have undertaken every effort to sustain speedy and good faith negotiations.
Notwithstanding the Movements’ many concerns about the DDPD—including shortcomings of the document itself and its implementation—we recognize the critical importance of careful oversight and faithful implementation of agreements for any future agreements. Mechanisms such as implementation commissions and regular follow-up meetings are important for effectively implementing agreements and achieving durable peace. Such implementation mechanisms, however, are limited by the terms of the agreement they are to implement, the will of the parties charged with implementation, and the changing realities of conditions on the ground—as is the case with the DDPD and its lack of implementation.
Thus, while we appreciate the principle and effort of maintaining the IFC, and the conducting of its meetings, we believe that the DDPD has failed to bring peace to Darfur and remains a deeply flawed document without clear or adequate provisions for further implementation of its terms, and there are no longer any institutions or other mechanisms with real authority to implement and enforce its critical terms. Without an agreement and related implementation mechanisms that can address the root causes of the conflict in Darfur and that consider the present realities in Darfur, peace will remain elusive.
Finally, we urge the Qataris to engage with all parties to the conflict before using the DDPD review as a platform to issue statements about non-signatory parties and on issues on the broader Darfur peace process, particularly those that could misinform regional and international organizations and their decisions.
Trayo Ahmed Ali – Chief Negotiator SLM
Ahmed M Tugud Lissan – Chief Negotiator JEM