Darfur / UNAMID Media Brief

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, March 12, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- UNAMID Media Brief /11 March 2012

UNAMID concludes verification exercise of armed movement

The verification of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) military disposition concluded this weekend in Darfur.

The exercise, undertaken by the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), started on 5 March and is a key element of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD). It aims at preparing the ground for disengagement and re-deployment of the parties' forces followed by arms control.

UNAMID's Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, who is also the Chairman of the Ceasefire Commission, said that “the verification is crucial in the final security arrangement of the DDPD because it determines the number of the combatants, and will also determine what is required in terms of logistic support.''

He further disclosed that “the outcome of the exercise will subsequently be used in the other phases, including demobilization and reintegration” and will “help unlock doors and open up opportunities for the effective implementation of the agreement.”

On 14 July 2011, the Government of the Sudan and the LJM signed a protocol agreement committing themselves to the DDPD, which is now the framework for the comprehensive peace process in Darfur. The Document addresses the root causes of the conflict and its consequences, including power sharing, wealth sharing, human rights, justice and reconciliation, compensation and return, and internal dialogue among others.