“We have only one option: to work for a peaceful, unified, diverse Sudan with a common identity”- Dr.Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

AU Commission Chairperson meets Darfur armed movements’ leaders

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 7March, 2014:The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on Friday 7 March 2014,met with a delegation of the Darfur armed movements led by Mr. MinniArkoMinawi and Dr. Gibril Ibrahim Mohamed, Chairmen of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLM/MinniMinawi) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), respectively. The Darfur armed movements’ leaders were accompanied by UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Dr Mohamed Chambas.

The two armed movements’ leaders – now part of the leadership of a political and military coalition under the name of Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), affirmed their commitment for peace, a united Sudan with a national identity that reflects its cultural and religious diversity, and the need for a national dialogue to address holistically the problems facing the country. They urged the African Union to become fully engaged in the political process and assist the Sudanese parties realize these goals.

The Chairperson welcomed the commitment of the armed movements’ leaders to peace, the unity of their country, a comprehensive and negotiated solution to Sudan’s issues, and the holding of national dialogue. Reflecting on the experience of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, she advised that “there will always be problems of mistrust, skepticism and doubts when people have been at war for decades”.

The Chairperson also welcomed the political determination expressed by the leaders of the armed movements and stressed the need to harness it. She encouraged them to continue to work with UNAMID and other stakeholders to formulate a strategy on how to conduct the national dialogue.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma reaffirmed the commitment of the AU, through the joint efforts of UNAMID and the AU High Level Panel on Sudan, to continue to assist all the Sudanese parties in the search for lasting peace and economic development in Sudan. “The more we can assist Sudan to be united, diverse, with a common national identity, the better for all of us”, she said.

MM/JEE