Darfur negotiations progress in Qatar

Wael Nasr – Doha – Exclusive for Al-shorfa
For Al-Shorfa.com
2009-02-21

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani talks to the media in Doha Feb. 16 following the latest meeting between representatives of the Sudanese government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in an attempt to broker an end to the six-year war in Darfur. (Photo by Ibrahim Al-Omari/AFP/Getty Images)

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani said that a document dealing with the Darfur peace talks was signed in Doha on Feb. 17 following tough negotiations between the Sudanese government and the Movement for Justice and Equality (JEM). The negotiations lasted eight days and were monitored by Qatar, the UN and African Union representative Jibreel Bassole.

The prime minister also said that he expected negotiations concerning the Framework Convention, which will address the termination of fighting and the issue of prisoners of war, to begin two weeks following the signing. JEM had earlier insisted on addressing the issue of prisoners prior to reaching any agreement with the Sudanese government.

Speaker of the JEM Legislative Council Dr Taher Al-Faky and member of the Sudanese government delegation Dr Ameen Hassan Omar said that both sides negotiated the issue of prisoners and detainees and were able to reach an understanding with the help of mediators led by Qatar and the joint UN and African Union delegations.

Al-Faky said that both groups will release prisoners gradually. The process of releasing the captives will be completed by the time negotiations on the peace treaty are under way.

According to Omar the parties had agreed to put language in the Feb. 17 agreement that reflects the understanding reached on the subject of prisoner exchange.

“In principle, there is no dispute”, he said. “There is a commitment to release prisoners and detainees involved in the Darfur conflict.” He also said that the discussion on the release of prisoners is evolving as negotiations continue.

[Qatar News Agency]

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