Speech by EU Ambassador at Launch of Project Supporting Dialogue in Darfur
03 August, 2016KHARTOUM (Sudanow.info.sd) - The Delegation of the European Union (EU), the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Union's United Nations Hybrid Operation in
Darfur (UNAMID) Tuesday launched a project to strengthen peace efforts and reconciliation
through dialogue in Darfur.
The project, partially funded by the EU through a contribution of 800,000 euro, will utilize
UNAMID’s political direction and UNDP’s operational assistance to support the Darfur Internal Dialogue and Consultations (DIDC) process, one of the main pillars of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).
The EU Representative to Sudan, H.E. Ambassador Tomas Ulicny, has delivered the following speech On this occasion:
Dear Excellencies, Colleagues and Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. Today I have the honour to sign on behalf of the European Union – a financial agreement to support the Darfur Internal Dialogue and Consultations process, which was launched in January 2015. This agreement is signed with the United Nations Development Programme in presence of the Darfur Internal Dialogue and Consultation Committee, and the Darfur Peace Office and the African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur.
2. I will not talk about the project in detail, as you can find the relevant information in the fact sheet, so let me explain why we as European Union believe that it is important to lend our support to the Darfur dialogue process.
3. The contribution by the European Union reflects our commitment to support peace and reconciliation efforts in Darfur by providing a forum for the people of Darfur to come together, build trust and participate actively in the peace process. The DIDC does not only bring Darfuris closer to an inclusive and sustainable peace – it makes them an integral part in building and preserving it. In dialogue meetings and grass-roots consultations, the project will create a space for all members of the rich and diverse social fabric of Darfur to express their views and make their voices heard. We hope that through this project we can promote peaceful coexistence and reconciliation in Darfur and also strengthen participatory democracy, good governance and inter-tribal and inter-communal tolerance.
4. The European Union has been responding to the Darfur conflict since its beginnings in 2003. We mobilized funds of around 1 billion Euros for emergency support and humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected communities in need. We actively contributed to the AU and the UN efforts to stabilize the region and protect innocent civilians. The support of the EU and its Member States has included financial and personnel contributions, as well as political backing. In recent years, the European Union has been shifting the focus of our interventions from humanitarian relief to development assistance in Darfur. Today, the total EU engagement for peace and development in Darfur has reached 33.1 million EUR. In line with the Darfur Development Strategy, the EU focuses on peace building, rural development, management of natural resources, as well as health and education.
5. The European Union also continues to support the ongoing political negotiations in the framework of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. The EU participates in the Implementation Follow-Up Commission established by the DDPD to ensure progress in fulfilling the provisions of the peace agreement. The European Union and the 28 European Union foreign ministers called repeatedly on all parties to the conflict to seize the momentum and engage constructively in the efforts to achieve a sustainable peace in Darfur. I reiterate this call today and encourage the non-signatory movements to join the DDPD to demonstrate serious commitment to finding a solution that will put an end to the suffering of the people of Darfur.
6. In recalling the EU’s longstanding engagement in Darfur, I wanted to confirm the EU’s genuine support and continued political commitment to peace and stability in Sudan. I want to assure our Sudanese as well as regional and international partners that we are ready to examine ways and means to strengthen our engagement and assistance in Darfur.
7. Ladies and Gentlemen. To conclude, the European Union is fully convinced that sustainable peace in Darfur is only possible in a peaceful and united Sudan and this requires all the Sudanese parties to step up efforts to accelerate not only the implementation of the DDPD and other peace agreements, but also to deliver an inclusive and comprehensive national dialogue.
8. As my mission in Sudan comes to an end, the European Union will continue its work on improving relations with Sudan in different areas of mutual interest, including the promotion of stability and security in the wider region. For our dialogue to successfully contribute to deepening confidence and strengthening ties between Sudan and the EU and its Member States, the solid commitment to internal peace and reconciliation by our Sudanese side is indispensable.
9. I am hopeful that this project can contribute to reinforcing our cooperation and I wish it all the success in attaining its goals.
I thank you for listening and Al Salam Aleikum.
E N D
AS
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