British Diplomat Dame Rosalind Marsden has been appointed the new EU Special Representative for Sudan

GOOD news, just in from European Council via APO:
British diplomat appointed as new EUSR for Sudan

(BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium) August 5, 2010 - Dame Rosalind Marsden, a British Diplomat, has been appointed the new European Union Special Representative for Sudan, effective September 1st, replacing Ambassador Torben Brylle.

She has a large experience in African affairs, including as UK Ambassador to Sudan, a position she held until May this year. She will actively participate, on behalf of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, in the international efforts in Sudan, notably the support for the preparations of the upcoming referenda in Abyei and South Sudan, liaising with the Sudanese parties as well as with all the regional, continental and international stakeholders. She will also devote considerable attention to the unsolved situation in Darfur.

Click on label here below to view previous reports. The following photo and report are from Sudan Watch archives:

Her Majesty's Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Rosalind Marsden CMG



Photo: Her Majesty's Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Rosalind Marsden CMG (Consul General, Basra 2006 - 2007) attended the launch of the Southern Sudan Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration programme in Juba on 10 June 2009. (Source: fco.gov.uk)
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Sudan’s Bashir meets outgoing British ambassador Rosalind Marsden

Thanks to Sudan Tribune for this interesting report:

Sudan’s Bashir meets outgoing British ambassador
Report from Sudan Tribune - Monday 24 May 2010:

May 23, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir met today with British Ambassador, Rosalind Marsden who came to bid farewell at the end of her term in the country.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoted Bashir as praising progress of the relations with Britain, and calling for more support to the bilateral ties and joint cooperation to push forward the peace process and the development in Sudan as key elements to realize stability and democratic transformation.

Bashir also asked the Marsden to convey his greetings to the newly elected British government and affirmed the positive role it could play in supporting his country, referring to its commitments in supporting the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and its role in relieving Sudan debts.

The Sudanese head of state has rarely held meeting with Western officials who have largely avoided him since his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC). European Union (EU) rules bars its officials from meeting individuals charged by the Hague tribunal.

The ICC urged world officials to sever all "non-essential contacts" with Bashir and other suspects still at large.

Human right groups called on ICC members to boycott Bashir’s inauguration next Thursday saying attending it would be wrong signal to Darfur victims and refugees.

However, the two top U.N. representatives in Sudan will be present at the ceremony according to a statement from the world body in New York. (ST)

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Postscript

Thanks to the Guardian for including this blog, Sudan Watch, in its sidebar for Useful links at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/darfur

• Useful links

• AllAfrica.com: Sudan
• Sudan Watch blog
• Rift Valley Institute
• Sudan Tribune
• UN Mission in Sudan
• UN Integrated Regional Info Network: Sudan

Southern Sudan is awash in arms - The 2008 South Sudan Civilian Disarmament Campaign

From John Prendergast's Enough Project.org
This Is What "Awash In Arms" Looks Like
By Maggie Fick, December 4, 2009:

Photo:  Boy greets us on the road in Panyagor. (Enough/Maggie Fick)

(BOR, Southern Sudan) – This is my first time working and living in a “post-conflict setting,” but sadly, southern Sudan also has the feeling of being in a period of potential “pre-conflict,” threatening to return to widespread violence.

As an Enough researcher in Washington for the past year, I regularly read reports about civilian disarmament, small arms flows in southern Sudan, or about proxy militias moving into and out of the southern Sudanese army as alliances shift. These reports are intellectually engaging and the analysis is useful, but now that I’m here in southern Sudan, I am personally tempted not to join the chorus of analysis on complex issues such as disarmament, but to try to make the simple point that is still glossed over: “Southern Sudan is awash in arms.” You may have heard this sound bite before, but what it means practically is that most people I encountered while traveling by road in Jonglei state for roughly 400 kilometers, from the capital Bor to the town of Duk Padiet, are carrying weapons. Some of these people were wearing SPLA military uniforms, others were wearing deconstructed camouflage shirts, a mainstay of the clothes found in the markets I have visited thus far in the South, but many of these people were ordinary civilians—teenage boys riding bicycles, men walking with their wives, young Dinka cattle keepers taking their herd of cattle to water on the Nile river. To be honest, at first I wasn’t sure how to interact with the many well-armed people I encountered on a walk around Panyagor, a town along the road up to Duk Padiet. But then I realized that people just wanted to say hello, regardless of what kind of weapon they had slung over their shoulder.

It is hard to comprehend what “civilian disarmament” means in a place like Jonglei state, where weapons are simply a part of everyday life. The challenge of this process was evident in two disastrous attempts at disarmament conducted by the Government of Southern Sudan and the SPLA in 2006 and 2008—see these two reports, here [Anatomy of Civilian Disarmament in Jonglei State] and here [Shots in the Dark: The 2008 South Sudan Civilian Disarmament Campaign], by the Small Arms Survey for more information. With another state-by-state civilian disarmament campaign on the horizon, an urgent assessment is needed of how and whether these efforts will yield improve peace and security for the people of southern Sudan.

Security situation in Darfur - Nov 25, 2009

Source: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, November 25, 2009/APO
UNAMID Daily Media Brief / 2009-11-25

Security situation in Darfur
The security situation in Darfur remains relatively calm, but unpredictable.

UNAMID military forces conducted 60 patrols including routine, short range, long range, night, and Humanitarian escort patrols, covering 72 villages and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps during the reporting period.

UNAMID police advisors also conducted 137 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

Discharge of former combatants in Darfur
Following a recent initiative by the Government of Sudan (GoS), more than 300 former combatants, including women and disabled persons, participated in a discharge exercise from 22 to 24 November in El Fasher. It is envisaged that the programme will soon continue in other parts of Darfur, targeting a total of 5,000 former combatants affiliated with signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) who were disarmed in July 2008 when they formally surrendered their weapons to the GoS.

Those discharged in El Fasher include members of the Sudanese Armed Forces, People’s Defence Forces, and the Sudan Liberation Army/Mother Wing. While this is a unilateral initiative by the GoS, following an agreement with the DPA signatories, UNAMID agreed to offer logistical support to the exercise, including security, transport and health services. The GoS, on the other hand, is providing cash payments of 400 Sudanese Pounds (USD 150) for each participant, which will be followed by food vouchers and other services after two months.

Although the discharge exercise is not linked whatsoever to the development of a future programme for the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants, as included in the mandate of the African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission but for which there currently is no agreement on a policy framework in Darfur, UNAMID decided to assist the GoS in its efforts to strengthen the peace process and improve the overall security situation across the region.

DDDC Sudan: Darfur civil society to participate in Doha peace talks

Source: Darfur Darfur Dialogue & Consultation (DDDC)
Date: 11 Nov 2009 (with thanks to ReliefWeb)

KHARTOUM, SUDAN – For a host of reasons, feeding the views of Darfur civil society into the Darfur peace process has been a challenge. A recent breakthrough in the ongoing Doha Darfur peace talks, however, has created a civil society track that has long been absent.

The Technical Workshop on Darfur Peace held in Doha, Qatar, October 12 – 14, 2009, and co–chaired by Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed bin Abdalla Al–Mahmoud, and the head of the African Union – United Nation's Joint Mediation Support Team (JMST), Ambassador Djibril Bassolé, "to discuss and propose the best ways to accelerate the peace process to reach a comprehensive resolution for the conflict in Darfur," adopted a plan of action that recognized the key role of and called for input from Darfur civil society.

As a result, JMST, in partnership with the Darfur–Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC), the United Nation – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Civil Affairs Department (CAD), Gender Advisory Unit (GAU), and other UN bodies, established and is leading a multi–faceted process through which representatives from Darfur civil society can directly contribute their views on achieving peace in Darfur to the Doha peace talks.

During the past several weeks, more than 200 Darfurian tribal leaders and chiefs and civil society representatives from all sectors of society, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), Arab nomads, women, and youth, have attended preparatory workshops in North, South, and West Darfur. These workshops have been tailored to enable participants, all of who were selected by their peers, to discuss and formulate how they envision the role of civil society in the Darfur peace process and decide on the issues they want to address in Doha. Each workshop has produced recommendations, which select participants will present in Doha.

Prior to gathering in Doha on November 16, 2009, for the four–day conference, which has been described as the "commencement of the Darfur peace process," the civil society representatives will have the opportunity to further unify their positions, consolidate their recommendations, and learn more about what is expected to take place in Doha.

The DDDC is an autonomous, inclusive, non–partisan process mandated to enable Darfurians to voice their opinions and views to achieve sustainable peace and reconciliation in Darfur.

Seeking peace and reconciliation through dialogue and mediation to resolve conflict within and between communities is a deeply rooted Darfurian tradition. By engaging conflicting groups, restoring confidence, building trust, and promoting open and transparent dialogue to overcome grievances and agree on common grounds to achieve sustainable peace, the DDDC is a continuation of this tradition.

For further information, contact Joel Frushone, frushone@dddc.org.

For DDDC news, reports, events, initiatives, to comment, and more, visit www.dddc.org

UN SRSG Qazi: DDR critical to creating conducive environment for the upcoming elections in Sudan

The Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme recently achieved the milestone of reaching 15,000 demobilized. Meanwhile, Reintegration counselling and referral has been rolled out to seven states and will be countrywide by the early 2010.

The Sudan DDR Programme under the CPA targets up to 180,000 participants from both SAF and SPLA. They will be demobilised and provided with opportunities for alternative livelihoods such as agriculture, micro-business, vocational training or formal education.

Norway announced an additional pledge of NEK29million (approximately US$5million) to support adult and child DDR.

Source: United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
DDR partnership hails progress
Date: 04 Nov 2009 (via ReliefWeb)

Meeting in Kadugli on 3 November 2009, the DDR Roundtable Partnership acknowledged significant progress since the launch of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) in February this year, under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, but admitted that much was still left to be done.

"We have made considerable progress in the implementation of the DDR programme," the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi affirmed at the roundtable, citing among other achievements, the establishment of several assembly areas and demobilisation sites in The Three Areas and in Southern Sudan.

"The momentum built up thus far is impressive and continues to grow as new sites will become operational in the Three Areas and Southern Sudan," Ambassador Qazi declared, adding that the UN has started to work with its Sudanese partners to extend DDR operations to Al-Fula and Abyei.

Speaking on behalf of the UN family in Sudan, SRSG Qazi observed that the DDR process "has given hope to ex-combatants and their communities as they see something concrete being done to promote peace." The SRSG further noted that the DDR was "critical to creating a conducive environment for the upcoming elections."

On the demobilisation of child soldiers, he lamented the current funding shortfall being faced by UNICEF. "It is important we regain momentum on the release and reintegration of children associated with armed forces to prevent children from returning to life in the barracks," the SRSG urged.

The DDR recently achieved the milestone of reaching 15,000 demobilized. Meanwhile, Reintegration counselling and referral has been rolled out to seven states and will be countrywide by the early 2010. Especially in the Three Areas, DDR is making a significant contribution to CPA implementation by fostering trust on both sides, ameliorating security threats and giving ex-combatants, potential spoilers in the future, a solid stake in peace.

Opening the roundtable conference, H.E. Governor Ahmed Haroun hailed the achievements to date and the importance of DDR to restoring stability in Southern Kordofan in particular. The Governor nonetheless insisted that the programme "needs to be expanded."

The DDR Roundtable partnership is a forum major stakeholders of the DDR programme meet at the highest level to review policy and implementation and to ensure the DDR process is on track to meet its goals.

H.E. Ambassador Yuichi Ishii from Japan, a major donor to DDR, spoke on behalf of the donor community. "Today, we witness the collaborative work of the Sudan DDR partners through this Roundtable meeting, and also North and South cooperation here in Southern Kordofan for the future," the Japanese envoy remarked. "We strongly hope that this occasion will provide leverage for the progress of the DDR programme and show concrete steps."

H.E. General Bakri Hassan Saleh, Chairman of the National DDR Coordination Council, urged increased financial support to the programme observing, "Although the war is behind us, we still have a lot of challenges ahead, which is why we request support to give a better life to our combatants."

At the meeting, the representative from Norway announced an additional pledge of NEK29million (approximately US$5million) to support adult and child DDR.

After the meeting, a weapons destruction ceremony was held. A pile of weapons collected from the PDF were lit on fire to symbolize the role of DDR in the transition from war to peace and in reducing violence in communities.

The Sudan DDR Programme under the CPA targets up to 180,000 participants from both SAF and SPLA. They will be demobilised and provided with opportunities for alternative livelihoods such as agriculture, micro-business, vocational training or formal education. The North and South Sudan DDR Commissions implement the programme with support from the Integrated UN DDR Unit, comprised of UNMIS, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP and UNFPA.

The roundtable in Kadugli was attended, among other dignitaries, by H.E. Governor Ahmed Haroun of South Kordofan, the Chairperson of the National DDR Coordination Council, H.E. General Bakri Hassan Saleh, H.E. Minister Elias Nyamlel, General Osman Nouri, the Ambassadors of Japan, South Africa and South Korea, UNMIS SRSG Ashraf Qazi and UNICEF Representative Nils Kastberg as well as representatives of the donor community, North and Southern Sudan DDR Commissions and the UN.

For further information, contact:
Napoleon Viban, phone: +249 (0) 914 549 072, e-mail: viban@un.org
Monique Tummers, +249 (0) 914 108 772, e-mail: tummers@un.org

Special Envoys for Sudan of China, EU, France, Russia, UK, US (the E6) met in Moscow 6 October 2009

The E6 received an update on efforts by the UN/AU Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole to engage with rebel factions and Darfuri civil society, as part of a broader effort to restart peace talks in Doha by the end of October. They strongly supported this objective. They called on the Government of Sudan to do everything possible to facilitate such efforts, and for all Darfuri leaders to engage urgently in the peace talks, including those based elsewhere in the region and in Europe. Any further delay would be unacceptable.

Source: US Department of State
Moscow E6 Statement
Washington, DC
October 6, 2009

The Special Envoys for Sudan of China, the European Union, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the E6) met in Moscow on 6 October 2009, under the chairmanship of Mikhail Margelov, Special Envoy for Sudan of the President of the Russian Federation.

The E6 reviewed developments in Sudan since their first meeting in Doha in May. They welcomed signs of progress, including over Abyei and towards full deployment of UNAMID, but noted the fundamental challenges remaining. They underlined the need for further efforts and stronger political commitment by all parties in Sudan to build lasting peace, stability and prosperity, and confirmed their readiness to support these efforts, and called on all regional and international partners to do the same.

The E6 particularly underlined the urgency of progress to further efforts for the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. They welcomed the work undertaken with the parties in this regard by US Special Envoy Scott Gration, the Assessment and Evaluation Commission and the United Nations, and between the parties themselves. They urged the parties to reach agreement as soon as possible on arrangements for free and fair national elections in 2010 and the 2011 referendum, as well as on a work-plan to address issues of shared interest that will arise after 2011.

The E6 expressed their strong concern over current security and humanitarian challenges in South Sudan, and their readiness to support efforts by the authorities there to tackle these.

The E6 received an update on efforts by the UN/AU Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole to engage with rebel factions and Darfuri civil society, as part of a broader effort to restart peace talks in Doha by the end of October. They strongly supported this objective. They called on the Government of Sudan to do everything possible to facilitate such efforts, and for all Darfuri leaders to engage urgently in the peace talks, including those based elsewhere in the region and in Europe. Any further delay would be unacceptable. They strongly supported the renewed efforts by all sides to ensure peaceful, cooperative relations across the region, particularly between Sudan and Chad, and to improve levels of humanitarian access and reduce insecurity. In this regard they welcomed the expansion of the High-level Committee on Darfur to allow participation by interested countries, the Arab League and the African Union.

The E6 looked forward to forthcoming report on Peace, Justice and Reconciliation in Darfur by the AU High-Level Panel led by former President Mbeki. They expressed their common hope that its recommendations, and follow-up action by all concerned in Sudan, could contribute positively to resolution of the complex challenges facing Darfur, Sudan as a whole and the region.

The E6 underlined the essential role of the United Nations and African Union, as well as other regional organizations and neighboring states, in supporting the parties to work through the urgent remaining challenges to peace. They called for particular attention in forthcoming international appointments to ensuring full coherence and coordination in UN/AU efforts, and for stronger and more concerted leadership at all levels.

The E6 resolved to meet again as necessary to exchange views on the situation in Sudan, and how they could work together and with others to support the parties to build peace.

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From Nam News Network
SUDANESE PRESIDENTIAL ENVOYS HOLDS MEETINGS IN DOHA AHEAD OF DOHA TALKS

MOSCOW, Oct 7 (NNN-SUNA) -- Sudanese Presidential Adviser Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin has held a number of meetings here with delegations participating in the Scientific Symposium on Sudan.

In a statement to SUNA Tuesday, Sudan's Ambassador to Russia, Suraj-Eddin Hamid, said Dr. Salahuddin met the joint envoy of the United Nations and the African Union (AU) on Dafur, Djibril Bassole, and the Chinese envoy and reviewed the preparations for the coming session of negotiation in Doha.

Ambassador Hamid said that the group of envoys was engaged in formulation of a statement including the major views reflected in the symposium, adding that the symposium would review on Wednesday issues of Sudan through three working groups on the economic and social situation, the political situation and the situation in Darfur.

He added that Dr. Salahuddin would continue his meetings on the sidelines of the symposium and was due to meet with the American and the Dutch envoys.

A number of Russian and international mass media and press have interviewed members of Sudan's delegation to the symposium which is headed by Dr. Salahuddin.

Addressing the symporsium Tuesday, Dr. Salahuddin, affirmed the Sudanese government's seriousness to implement the remaining items in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended the war between northern and southern Sudan and led to the southern Sudan-based Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SOLM) to participate in the national government.

He also urged the international community to live up to its commitments for supporting the implementation of the CPA.

Turning to Dafur, Dr. Salahuddin referred to the government's efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the Darfur issue and the current situation concerning negotiations for solving the Darfur issue, while expressing appreciation for the role of the Arab ministerial committee in this regard.

He called on the international community to boost the efforts for achieving stability and peace in Darfur by urging the armed movements in Dafur to participate in the Doha negotiations.

Dr. Salahuddin affirmed the government's keenness to work for holding elections within the fixed time.

Meanwhile, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed the commitment of his country to support the peace, stability and unity of Sudan. The symposium was also addressed by Dr. Mutrif Siddiq, Osman Khalid Mudawi, Ghazi Suleiman, Dr. Lam Akol, the special envoy of the Russian President for Sudan, the Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed bin Abdalla Al-Mahmoud, the representatives of China, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, France, Finland, the UN envoy for Sudan, Asharf Qazi, Djibril Bassole and the representative of the Russian Contemporary Development Institute which is sponsoring the symposium. -- NNN SUNA

180,000 ex-fighters across Sudan will be demobilised under the DDR scheme

Over 5,600 ex-combatants were disarmed on Monday, 10 August 2009, through DDR scheme in Blue Nile state, E. Sudan.

It is hoped that eventually as many as 180,000 ex-combatants across Sudan will be demobilized under the DDR scheme.



Photo: Former SPLA soldier displays civilian ID card at launch of DDR in Ed Damazin (UN News Centre)

Source: UN News Centre, 11 August 2009 - excerpt:
First phase of ex-combatants’ demobilization wraps up in Sudan

Thousands of former fighters have taken part in the first phase of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programme, marking a key milestone for the 2005 agreement that ended Sudan’s north-south civil war, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country reported today.

The last of over 5,600 ex-combatants earmarked for demobilization were processed yesterday in the first phase of the DDR scheme in Blue Nile state, in Sudan’s east, according to the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), which celebrated the achievement in a brief ceremony.

It is hoped that eventually as many as 180,000 ex-combatants across Sudan will be demobilized under the DDR scheme.

The joint North and South Sudan DDR commissions, along with UNMIS, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), are assisting with the process in Blue Nile.