Darfur Peace Talks in the State of Qatar

February 13, 2009
Japanese

Darfur peace talks between the Government of the Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a Darfur rebel faction, started on 10th February, hosted by the Government of Qatar. This meeting can offer an opportunity to resume the Darfur Peace process which was at a standstill since the last talks held in Sirte, Libya, in October 2007.
In response to the request from the Government of Qatar, the Government of Japan dispatched Mr. Keitaro Sato, Ambassador in charge of Peacebuilding in Africa, to show its willingness to actively contribute to the settlement of the Darfur issues. Ambassador Sato delivered a speech at the opening session, urging the parties concerned to sign the framework agreements on the immediate ceasefire and on the launch of the negotiation mechanism towards a peace accord. Ambassador Sato also stressed the importance of full and prompt deployment of the UNAMID (the African Union (AU)/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur) troops.

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