BACKGROUND
The
Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), which aimed to end the conflict in Darfur, did not secure consensus among all parties affected by the conflict. The DPA did, however, establish the Darfur - Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC), an autonomous and non-politicized 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.
During the past year, the DDDC engaged in dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders in Sudan and abroad. The goal of these
consultations was to introduce the DDDC process and gain trust of various conflicting parties with the understanding that this is a preparatory exercise to identify common ground issues that the
DDDC Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) will consider when established.
The DDDC also stressed that in giving voices to Darfurians, it will remain neutral and strive to ensure that the process is comprehensive, inclusive, and non-politicized.
While the DDDC made considerable progress, full inclusiveness was not achieved. Due to various challenges, the DDDC was unable to fully consult with Darfurians in the Diaspora, in rebel-controlled areas, with internally displaced Darfurians (IDPs), and with Darfur refugees in Chad. The DDDC was also unable to include Darfurians living outside of the four major population centers in Darfur.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
To ensure inclusive dialogue and consultation and simultaneously overcome identified gaps and challenges, the DDDC will move forward strategically to achieve the following:
- Sustained, inclusive, and transparent consultation process
In order to achieve a sustained, inclusive, transparent, grassroots driven, and Darfurian-owned
consultation process, the DDDC will:
- Establish offices in the four major towns in Darfur to increase operational capacity
- Expand outreach to include previously un-reached Darfurians
- Ensure fair representation of women, youth, Arab, and pastoral groups
- Coherent identity
To define and widely market its identity as an autonomous, non-politicized process owned by
Darfurians, the DDDC will:
- Broadly communicate the consultation process and outcomes to stakeholders and others
- Innovatively engage civil society
- Play an active role in the Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund (DCPSF)
- Clarify and communicate relationships with stakeholders and strategic partners
- Robust institutional relationships
The DDDC, directly and through appropriate channels, will communicate to institutional
partners the role and responsibilities of the DDDC so that
they can work in harmony to achieve shared goals.
- Inclusive Preparatory Committee and supporting institutions
The DDDC will help facilitate the selection of a PrepCom, comprised of DPA signatories and non-signatories, tribal leaders, civil society, IDPs, the international community, and other stakeholder representatives consulted by the preparatory DDDC. When established, the PrepCom will review the outcome of DDDC consultations, select a Chairperson, set an agenda, and conduct a Representative Conference at which all stakeholders in the Darfur conflict will participate.
- Professional operational management
To achieve operational effectiveness, the DDDC will revise its organizational structure and
strengthen the management of its human and financial resources.
Unless otherwise specifically stated, information contained on www.dddc.org is made available to the public by the Darfur - Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC) and is for information purposes only.
The views and opinions on www.dddc.org originated and expressed by authors outside of the DDDC do not necessarily state or reflect those of the DDDC or any agency or entities thereof.
