Al Mahmoud: Cease-fire Agreement between Sudanese Government and JEM "Crucial Step" for Realizing Peace in Darfur

Doha, February 10 (QNA) - HE the Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud has expressed his happiness at the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the delegation of the Sudan Government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Doha this evening. In a statement to reporters after the signing of the agreement at the Doha Sheraton Hotel, HE Al Mahmoud described the agreement as important step for peace in Darfur. He stressed that the cease-fire is crucial for realizing peace, safety, security and development in Darfur, noting that the agreement, which was signed today will be effective as of 23:59 hours Sudan local time. The cease-fire agreement between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement in Doha this evening will pave the way for the signing the negotiations and lasting peace agreement in Darfur between the two parties, HE Al Mahmoud added. On Qatar's commitment to development in Darfur, HE Al Mahmoud said: "We are following the parties' commitment to Doha document for peace in Darfur," and further said that the parties that had signed the document expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far. "We have recently heard that the Sudanese government deposited an amount mentioned in Doha document for peace in Darfur. That amount is 800 million Sudanese pounds, equivalent to $ 200 million," Al Mahmoud said, while unveiling that the donors' conference for development and reconstruction in Darfur will be held in Doha from 7 to 8 April this year. "This decision was taken after consultations with our international partners and donors," he said, adding that preparation for such a conference have already began. Al Mahmoud said that a Qatari committee with members from international parties have been formed for this conference to prepare infrastructure projects in Darfur. "We in Qatar, as mentioned by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani from the very beginning, have donated two billion dollars for Darfur development bank. "We are working in two directions. One of which is to hold this international donor conference, while the other is related to establishing Darfur development bank." He added that the international conference on reconstruction and development in Darfur will seek to raise funds for the development in Darfur, describing today's signing of a cease-fire agreement as a positive step. Al Mahmoud hailed the announcement of the road, which will link the towns of Abeche in Chad and Janiniya in Darfur, saying that this project would contribute to the process of economic development in Darfur. On whether other movements would like to take part in the Darfur peace process, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for the Council of Ministers Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud said that there are parties that were interested. He added that they were ready to welcome them aboard the peace process, which he said was moving in the right direction. He also praised the Doha Document for Peace for covering all aspects of the process, saying that today's agreement was a result of the Doha Document for Peace. He said that both the Justice and Equality Movement as well as the Sudanese government presented their requirements, which culminated in a ceasefire agreement. Al Mahmoud expressed his confidence that negotiations will lead to an agreement that will see development plans take place in Darfur. HE the Deputy Prime Minister revealed that other movements have re-contacted them. He added that the State of Qatar was working on hosting them at the earliest opportunity. Al Mahmoud confirmed that the original Chairman of the Sudan Liberation Movement Abdel Wahid Mohammed Al Nur was one of the movements that were back in touch. Responding to a question by QNA on whether negotiations between the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudanese government will kick start after they signed today's agreement, Al Mahmoud said that it will be up to the two parties to decide that. He said that he was happy that the parties involved realized it was time for peace. HE the Deputy Prime Minister maintained that negotiations were an exhausting process, but praised both parties for accepting some of the suggestions made by the mediating parties. Two committees will oversee the agreed ceasefire, HE the Deputy Prime Minister said, pointing out that the first is the ceasefire committee, chaired by UNAMID's Lieutenant General Patrick Nyamvumba. It will include three members from each of the Justice and Liberation movement and the Sudanese government, as well as a representative of the State of Qatar and the UNAMID. The second is the joint committee and will handle any differences regarding ceasefire. It consists of the Joint mediator of the African Union, United Nations, the State of Qatar, the Arab League, the European Union, the Republic of Chad and the Secretary-General of the UNAMID. HE the Deputy Prime Minister said that the mechanisms for a ceasefire were in place, stressing that what was more important is the presence of intent. On the position of the United States from international conference on reconstruction and development of Darfur, Al Mahmoud said that they were working on sending invitations and added that the US were in favor of the conference. Al Mahmoud also said that Chairman of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) Al Tijani Al Sisi had stressed during his latest visit to Doha that he was visiting European countries to promote the donors conference. Al Sisi said that the countries he visited were supportive of holding the conference, Al Mahmoud added. The US State Department for its part had expressed its support to the Doha Document for Peace. HE Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud has delivered a speech before the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement, in which he confirmed that negotiations between the two parties held under the patronage of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani He commended the wise approach of the two parties in negotiations which led to reaching the cease-fire agreement, in light of the preliminary agreement signed in October last year and also on the agenda of the negotiations between them in January 2013. HE Al Mahmoud underscored the importance of the cease-fire agreement between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement and for peace in Darfur .. Pointing in this regard to the formation of a committee for cease fire headed by General Patrick Mumba, commander the "UNAMID" in Darfur as well as a joint committee headed by HE Mohamed B bin Chambas, joint mediator of the African Union and the United Nations and its mission to resolve any problem concerning the cease-fire. HE the Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs expressed hope that the hope that the ceasefire agreement would be reflected in achieving peace in Darfur. He also referred to the donor conference to be held in Doha on April 7 and 8, stressing that the commitment towards development is a commitment to peace, HE Al Mahmoud added.(QNA)