The Sudanese government signed yesterday an agreement with Sudan Liberation Army/ Movement (SLA/M), the Second Revolution, in accordance with the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud attended the signing, along with Assistant to the President of Sudan Musa Mohamed Ahmed and Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo, who is the Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).
Al-Mahmoud gave a speech to mark the occasion and conveyed the greetings of HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. He said the Emir was following with interest the developments of peace in Darfur and is hoping for sustainability and development of the region as well as all of Sudan.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that the Doha Document for peace has crowned the efforts of all parties committed to the interests of the people of Darfur.
The document also became the basis for ending the struggle and initiating a rebuilding and development process in Darfur, al-Mahmoud added.
Al-Mahmoud also praised the example set by Liberation and Justice Movement back then, when it signed the document and choose the road of peace, to help the people of Darfur achieve stability and development.
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs said that the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement-the Second Revolution led by Abu al-Qasim Imam Haj has signed an initial agreement on the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in N’Djamena in Chad, noting that the final agreement is to be signed at the ceremony.
Al-Mahmoud said that it reaffirms the movement’s courage and determination to establish peace and start a new beginning of stability and development for the people of Darfur.
He added that the movement deserves to be thanked for participating in the national dialogue that took place recently in Sudan in addition to the Darfur peace agreement, which confirms the movement’s commitment to achieve peace.
He stressed that the mediation followed certain principles in its quest to achieve peace in Darfur, and added that the aim of the agreement is to include everyone, providing stability and well-being to the people of Darfur that suffered due to the conflicts.
Al-Mahmoud said the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur that was ratified by the people and supported by the regional and international community, covers an all-around just solution for the cause of the conflict and is a result of the hard work of all the partners with close discussion of the people of Darfur, who are the most important element. Al-Mahhmoud stressed that the Doha Document for Peace is the context for peace in the region and so cannot be renegotiated.
He maintained that it can be enriched by signing protocols that develop the document’s implementation mechanisms.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the people of Darfur started feeling the outcome of peace following years of struggle after the signing of the document.
He stressed the importance of providing a suitable environment for the people of Darfur to start returning to their homes voluntarily.
The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that the developmental projects agreed upon during the donors’ conference in Doha must be implemented to enable the people of the region to rebuild their economy.
He added that this was especially important now after the US eased some of the economic sanctions on Sudan.
Al-Mahmoud added that work continues to end all tribal disputes in order to bring back peace to Darfur.
He renewed the invitation to all movements that  are yet to sign the document to do so in response to the demands of the people and UN Security Council resolutions.
In concluding his remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister thanked everyone who made yesterday’s agreement signing possible.
He extended his thanks in particular to President of Chad Idriss Deby, President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir, the SLA and UNAMID.
He also extended his thanks to former head of UNAMID Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi for his role, as well as the current one Mamabolo.