Speech delivered by UNAMID Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari at the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement between the Government of the Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement to end the conflict in Darfur
KARTHOUM, Sudan, February 24, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Speech delivered by UNAMID Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari
at the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement between the Government of
the Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement to end the conflict in Darfur :
Your Highness, the Emir of Qatar,
Your Excellency, President Omar al-Bashir of the Republic of the Sudan,
Your Excellency, President Idriss Deby of the Republic of Chad,
Your Excellency, Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
Distinguished Ministers, Special Envoys,
Dr. Khalil Ibrahim,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed a great honor and privilege for me to participate at this auspicious occasion of the formal signing of the Framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement. As the new AU and UN Joint Special Representative for the UN-African Union Mission in Sudan (UNAMID), I wish on behalf of my two organizations – the African Union and the United Nations – welcome the Framework Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan. We consider this a very important concrete step towards an inclusive and comprehensive peace agreement for Darfur on the basis of formal negotiations on the root causes of the conflict.
Since my assumption of duties in Darfur exactly a month ago, I have in all my meetings with all Sudanese stakeholders including His Excellency President Bashir, as well as in a phone conversation with Dr. Khalil Ibrahim indicated that two of my major priorities as the new Joint Special Representative are to pro-actively support the Mediation with a view to a speedy conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement; and to enhance and facilitate the security not only of UNAMID and humanitarian personnel, but equally the security and
protection of the civilian populations of Darfur. The developments of the past few days and the ceremony we are witnessing here today are a testimony that we are on the right track, although there are many other steps we all need to take towards an all-inclusive comprehensive peace agreement.
I wish to seize this opportunity to congratulate the leadership of the Government of Sudan and that of the JEM for taking this important decision on behalf of their people. It is my hope that very soon; on-going efforts will materialize in similar accords with the other movements as soon as possible.
I also wish to express appreciation and thanks to [my two brothers], Minister Mahmoud and JCM Bassole for their continuing relentless efforts in the search for peace and stability in Darfur. I wish them similar successes such as this in the coming days and weeks, and they can continue to count on my full support and active encouragement.
Let me conclude my remarks by reassuring both the Government of Sudan and the JEM that UNAMID stands ready to support them as determined appropriate and relevant in the implementation of the provisions of the Framework Agreement and in subsequent negotiations and conclusion of a comprehensive and all-inclusive peace agreement.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all for your attention.
SOURCE
United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
