The following is the text of an agreement between the Sudanese government and the United Nations on a "Plan of Action" for Darfur, as carried by Reuters news agency:
The objective of this road map is to create the conditions
for peace, development and security in Darfur, through
commitment by the GOS (Government of Sudan) to the following
action plan. This will provide early indications to the
international community that they have made positive progress
in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR)1556, by the original deadline set of 30 August 2004.
Refugees will be encouraged to return voluntarily
Whilst it is acknowledged that the GOS may not be able to
fulfil all the requirements of UNSCR 1556 by this deadline,
there are several actions that they can take now to demonstrate
commitment to comply, and of the commitment made in the UN/GOS
Joint Communique of 3 July 2004.
The following actions have been drawn up in the light of discussions and suggestions made at the meeting of the Joint Implementation
Mechanism (JIM) of 2 August 2004, co-chaired by the Sudanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and the UN Special Representative for the Secretary-General.
1. IDENTIFY AND SECURE SAFE AREAS
The GOS would identify parts of Darfur that can be made secure and safe within 30 days.
This could include existing IDP (internally displaced people) camps, and areas around certain towns and villages with a high concentration of local population. The GOS would then provide secure routes to and between these areas. These tasks should be carried out by Sudan police forces to maintain confidence already created by
redeployment of GOS armed forces. This will allow people to
reach the areas initially and also conduct business essential
to life support such as:
- Movement to and from water and food sources
- Tend to animals
- Work on their land.
This can be achieved by a number of means that could include:
- Establish static defences around towns and camps
- Checkpoints on relevant routes
- Providing escorts to convoys.
2. CONTROL ACTIVITIES OF GOS ARMED FORCES
All offensive military operations by GOS armed forces in
the proposed safe areas would cease immediately. This includes
any offensive actions against rebel groups. The GOS armed
forces will also exercise restraint and avoid retaliation
against rebel activities notwithstanding their right of
Safe areas are to be created within 30 days
They will then be redeployed in such a way that they are not in direct contact with the camps and civilians. This will demonstrate political will and help build confidence amongst the local population.
3. CONTROL AND RESTRAIN ACTIVITIES BY REBEL GROUPS
In accordance with the ceasefire agreement, the GOS will
request the rebel groups participating in the Darfur peace
talks immediately to cease offensive military operations in the
proposed safe areas.
The GOS will also request the African Union (AU) and other international partners to pressurize the rebel groups to fully maintain the current ceasefire. The rebels would then lay down their weapons. These could be collected later as part of an agreed Disarmament and Demobilization (DDR) programme .
4. CONTROL AND RESTRAIN ACTIVITIES BY THE ARMED MILITIAS
The GOS would identify and declare those militias over
which it has influence, and instruct them to cease their activities forthwith. They would then lay down their weapons.
These, as well as weapons from the rebels, could be collected
later as part of an agreed DDR programme.
5. AGREEMENT TO MILITARY OBSERVERS
The GOS would invite the AU Ceasefire Commission to monitor and report on the observance of the above commitments.
6. DEMONSTRATE POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO PEACE TALKS
The GOS would make an unequivocal declaration of commitment
to start the Darfur peace talks as soon as possible, in any
venue to be proposed by the AU.
They will renew their commitment to bringing these talks to a successful and speedy conclusion, in order to ensure security and to take away the root causes of the conflict.
The refugee influx is straining resources in Chad
The AU and UN Security Council will pressurize the rebels to do likewise.
7. REQUEST SUPPORT FROM AU AND ARAB STATES
The GOS would request support from the AU and the Arab League to assist in resolving the crisis by providing financial and logistic resources as well as monitors.
8. REQUEST SUPPORT FROM OTHER PARTNERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
The GOS would request, through the UN provision of financial and logistic resources as necessary to meet the tasks outlined above within the timeline agreed in UNSCR 1556.
9. The GOS would sign an agreement with International
Organization for Migration (IOM) to assist with and oversee the
voluntary return of IDPs (Internally Displaced People).
The GOS reconfirms its policy of no involuntary returns.
10. The GOS will engage local leaders. It will hold a
conference to seek their help in building confidence and taking
more responsibilities in security, administration and resolving
11. Maintaining and further improving the humanitarian
situation of the population in Darfur with the help of the
international community. To this end, the GOS commits itself to
extending the fast track regarding access until July 2005.
12. The GOS will start talks with community leaders and
others with the aim of establishing a commission for rehabilitation, recovery, development and reconciliation in Darfur.