The UN Secretary-General message to inauguration of Darfur Regional Authority / El Fasher, ] 8 February 2012

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, February 8, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Delivered by Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Joint Special Representative for the African Union and the United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur

The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the inauguration of the Darfur Regional Authority, which marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur and a significant step forward in the pursuit of a final peace in Darfur.

The Secretary-General looks to the Government and the Liberation and Justice Movement to carry the peace process forward and reiterates the commitment of the United Nations system to support the work with the Darfur Regional Authority. He urges the parties to take all necessary measures to equip the Authority to fulfill its responsibility to promote reconciliation, early recovery and development so that peace dividends are realized by and equitably shared among the population of Darfur.

The Secretary-General appeals to the Government of Sudan and non-signatory armed movements to enter into negotiations towards a final agreement immediately and without preconditions.