Despite the signing of a peace agreement for Darfur in May 2006, the war in the region has escalated and remains a very serious unresolved issue, creating enormous human suffering. Several hundred thousand people are killed and over 2 million people have been displaced as a result of the conflict. Norway is committed to pursue all options to achieve lasting peace in the region, and is ready to contribute to an international peace keeping force.
18/12/2006 :: Situation in Darfur - The conflict in Darfur is dominating the current international attention on Sudan. Since 2003, the conflict in this area has constituted a human tragedy. The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), signed in May 2006 by the Government of National Unity (GoNU) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) of Minni Arkoi Minawi, did not include all rebel groups. These last few months the conflict in the region has escalated. The humanitarian situation remains grave and commands the attention of concerned people and governments the world over. The inclusion of the hold-out rebel movements, the cessation of violent attacks and an immediate improval of the security situation constitute the main challenges in order to break the current deadlock and a further spiral into increased violence and lawlessness. The UN estimates that up to several hundred thousand people have lost their lives as a result of the conflict and over 2 million people have been displaced from their homes and villages.
Norway is committed to pursue all options to achieve lasting peace in the region, and has signalled a clear commitment to contribute to an international peace keeping force.
D-JAM - The Joint Assessment Mission for Darfur (also referred to as the D-JAM) was initiated after the signing of the DPA in May 2006. The D-JAM is a twofold process: Track 1 is lead by the UN, and assesses immediate needs, while the World Bank, together with the African Development Bank, deals with the assessment of reconstruction and development needs for the longer term (Track 2). A Core Coordination Group has been established to coordinate the overall assessment process and work. This group is led by the Netherlands while Norway and other donors are members together with the signatories.
The D-JAM process was supposed to lead up to a donor pledging conference to be held in the autumn of 2006. However, the current political and security situation in Darfur has not been conducive for finalising the D-JAM and running such a conference. Given the critical security situation, where large areas of Darfur are inaccessible, and the lack of inclusion of non-signatories, the D-JAM process has been put on hold and the donor conference postponed.
There is a need for extensive consultations and an immediate improval of the security concerns before the D-JAM process can move forward.
NORAMB