Darfur civil society debates role in democratic governance

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, March 18, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- At a workshop on 17 March in El Fasher, North Darfur, nearly 100 representatives of civic organizations in Darfur debated the role civil society plays in democratic governance.

The forum, facilitated by the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), drew participants from political parties, camps for internally displaced people, native administration groups, educational institutions, nomadic networks, the legal community, media, and women's unions. The meeting's participants discussed ways civil society organizations can more effectively promote, strengthen and practice democratic values.

UNAMID's Civil Affairs officers have planned to conduct similar seminars in different localities across North Darfur. As part of its mandate, the Mission regularly hosts such meetings and workshops to encourage discussion of democratic themes related to peace, security and development in Darfur.