Summary note: Darfur Humanitarian Workshop with JEM

Summary note
Darfur Humanitarian Workshop with JEM
Nairobi, 30 September – 1 October 2009
On 30 September and 1 October, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, with the support of OCHA, held a humanitarian workshop for representatives of one of the largest Darfur rebel movements, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The JEM delegation was led by the Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Souleymane Mahamat Djamous who was accompanied by ten of his senior colleagues.
The workshop themes, including safe humanitarian access and the issue of hijacking of agency vehicles, protection of civilians, the protection of women and children, IDP rights and possible future mechanisms, were addressed by inter-agency experts who had specific experience or knowledge of the situation in Darfur. The experts were representatives of UN-OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, and UNAMID Human Rights.
There were strong calls for more regular and frequent communication with UN agencies on the ground and for establishing institutional communication and cooperation mechanisms. A list of contacts was exchanged after the meeting to facilitate follow up from both sides and the setting up of focal points for specific issues, as needed.
It was agreed that increased contacts between the Movement and the agencies would be of benefit in general. Participants requested a strengthened and more regular exchange between JEM and the humanitarian agencies and UNAMID.
OCHA agreed to strengthen contacts between its country office and JEM and to provide JEM with a copy of the ground rules of 2004 as a basis for this communication. UNHCR agreed that JEM’s concerns about the situation in Chad refugee camps would be passed on to the UNHCR office in Chad.
It was agreed that the HD Centre would establish a humanitarian mechanism between JEM and the international organizations. In principle JEM would be open to meeting with Government in this context in due course. This would require mutual trust and confidence on both sides.
Regarding the other movements, JEM emphasized other movements should fulfill agreed criteria in international humanitarian law in order to be part of these discussions.
JEM suggested the HD Centre to be the neutral facilitator and channel between the participants of the workshop to secure the implementation of what was agreed.
It was agreed that the HD Centre together with the UN humanitarian agencies would put together some principles and basic guidelines on IDP return and resettlement for JEM.
It was also agreed to have a workshop in the field with JEM field commanders’ as soon as possible on humanitarian principles including, treatment of prisoners and civilians. The HD Centre agreed to check with ICRC on its possible involvement.
On the possibility of a humanitarian ceasefire, the position of JEM was that there should be a full politically backed ceasefire with a proper monitoring mechanism and framework agreement and not any short term and limited agreements.
The HD Centre agreed to facilitate a land/property study in preparation for a future settlement.
JEM further requested the HD Centre to facilitate a workshop with the diaspora that would include training on humanitarian principles.  It was agreed that JEM would provide the HD Centre with a more concrete proposal on this issue.
JEM agreed to share their plans on how to deal with the problem of hijacking, which includes the identification of areas of special concern.
JEM and UNICEF agreed to finalise a memorandum of understanding on the welfare of children in Darfur.
JEM reconfirmed its statement on key issues made in the humanitarian workshop in Geneva in July 2008 (attached).
All participants expressed appreciation to the Government of Kenya and the donor governments for their support for the workshop.
Nairobi,  1. October 2009