Since its inception, the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC) has consulted with a broad range of Darfurians to build trust among stakeholders connected to the Darfur conflict. During these consultations the DDDC stressed that its primary function is to serve as a grassroots level forum through which all stakeholders in the Darfur conflict can meet to discuss the challenges of restoring peace, overcoming divisions, and resolving problems to build a better future.
The DDDC also stressed that in giving voices to Darfurians, it will remain neutral and strive to ensure that the process is comprehensive, inclusive, transparent, and Darfurian owned.
COMMON GROUND ISSUES
During initial consultations, The DDDC engaged Darfurians in Sudan and also held symposia in the United States and Europe to engage the Darfurian Diaspora.
These initial consultations resulted in a number of achievements, including identifying relevant individuals and organisations, familiarising stakeholders in the Darfur conflict about the consultative process and soliciting their views. Most important, these initial consultations identified six "common ground" issues. They are:
- Land and natural resources
- Administration and democracy
- Identity
- Recovery and development
- Reconciliation
- Security
EXPANDING OUTREACH
The DDDC is now working towards establishing consensus on common ground issues among Darfurians engaged in the consultation process and allowing space for the emergence of other relevant issues. In this regard, the DDDC is expanding its consultations and outreach to ensure wider grassroots level participation to:
- Build trust among stakeholders connected to the Darfur conflict
- Give voices to Darfurians at all levels to ensure that the peace process is comprehensive, inclusive, transparent, and Darfurian owned.
- Facilitate engagement of Darfurians in other peace-building issues.
ENGAGEMENT MECHANISMS
The DDDC has used a number of engagement methods to meet consultation objectives and to ensure full participation of target groups.
Increasing Acceptance
Stakeholder acceptance of the DDDC is required to ensure that the consultation process is inclusive, neutral, grassroots driven, and Darfurian-owned. The DDDC will:
- Establish offices in Nyala, El Geneina, El Fasher, and Zalingei to interact directly with stakeholders and expand consultation outreach.
- Establish mobile teams to liaise with leaders and communities in populated areas administered by DPA non-signatories.
Formalised Consultations
Formalised consultations are central to the DDDC. The DDDC, in close coordination with stakeholders, will design consultations so that they are appropriate and accurately target each audience. The DDDC will use a variety of techniques to ensure inclusiveness, including large- scale conferences to discuss broad thematic issues, smaller focused workshops and informal meetings to address specific issues, etc.
Advisory Fora / Representative Councils
To demonstrate a sense of ownership in the consultation process, the DDDC, in close coordination and collaboration with UNAMID Civil Affairs, will establish Advisory Fora in key areas of Darfur. The Advisory Fora will assist with outreach activities and act as a mechanism by which the views of their constituents are translated into the DDDC process.
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STAKEHOLDERS
The DDDC will conduct consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, primarily target groups under-represented in initial consultations. Namely, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in small camps, IDPs living outside camps, Arab tribes, Darfurians in areas controlled by armed movements, Darfurians living outside major population centers, Darfurians in the Diaspora, civil society, Native Administration, women and youth.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The DDDC expects many results from the consultation process. They include:
- Engagement in the peace process of a wide range of Darfurians.
- Issues and concerns raised by Darfurian stakeholders are fed into the peace process.
- The consultation process and outcomes and the progress of the peace process are communicated to stakeholders.
- Darfurians own the peace process.
- Continued selection of representatives for the DDDC Preparatory Committee (PrepCom).
