Peace for Darfur is still a long way away

The Society for Threatened Peoples (GfbV) warned on Tuesday of too much optimism in the search for a peaceful settlement in the Darfur conflict. "The protocol signed last night in Doha (Qatar) between the "Movement for Justice and Equality” (JEM) and the Sudanese government on confidence-building measures is only a first step on the way to peace in Darfur”, said the GfbV Sudan expert, Ulrich Delius. It is true that the protocol has provided the preconditions for serious peace negotiations. "But Darfur is still a long way away from peace.”

The past six weeks have seen the worst armed conflicts for 18 months. More than 30,000 people have had to flee since the beginning of January from offensives by the JEM and the Sudanese army. There are no signs of the conflict parties being concerned about a lasting peace.

The protocol on confidence-building measures provides for an exchange of prisoners and cessation of the air-raids on villagesin Darfur, an easing of humanitarian aid and the prohibition of deportation of IDP’s to their destroyed villages. "These measures are a great help for the desperate civilians.” It is questionable however whether the conflict parties feel themselves committed to the effective protection of the civilian population in the long run.

It is still unclear whether the Darfur liberation movement and the Sudanese government are really prepared for a peace treaty or whether they have been negotiating in Doha for tactical considerations. The Arab world is accused of siding with the Sudanese government, so the JEM refused in December 2008 peace negotiations with the mediation of Arab states. The Sudanese government has also shown itself unwilling to compromise and only under the pressure of the imminent issue of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Sudanese President, al Bashir, has it shown itself prepared to make any concessions.

The Sudanese government is anxious to demonstrate its will for peace to bring the Security Council to suspend the investigations of the ICC. Khartoum could also try to make the ICC responsible for a possible failure of the peace talks in Doha. The JEM has shown itself ready for negotiations in order to secure the release of imprisoned supporters in Sudan. Following an attack of the JEM on Khartoum in May 2008 the Sudanese authorities arrested hundreds of presumed JEM supporters and sentenced 30 people to death.