Darfur, UNAMID, Doha, South Sudan: IPI Meeting

United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) peacekeepers in West Darfur, March 30, 2011. UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farran

On June 9, 2011, IPI hosted a World Affairs Forum discussion with Dr. Ibrahim Gambari, Joint AU-UN Special Representative for the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

The meeting–which was held under Chatham House Rule of non-attribution–included the participation of approximately thirty diplomats, academics, UN Secretariat officials, and NGO representatives. It focused on the future of the UNAMID after the recent Doha negotiations, the Darfur Political Process, and the future of Sudan more generally.

Dr. Gambari played a key role at the All Darfur Stakeholders Conference in Doha from May 27-31. At this conference, approximately 500 delegates representing civil society, IDPs, political parties and national and state legislative assemblies committed to consultations and dialogue in pursuit of a comprehensive and inclusive peace agreement to resolve the Darfur conflict.

Now the focus of negotiations will shift to Darfur, where the African Union and the United Nations support the parties in nurturing the Darfur Political Process. Dr. Gambari and participants at the event discussed the many challenges and opportunities associated with the Darfur Political Process. Another topic of discussion at the Forum was how the anticipated independence of South Sudan in July will affect relations between Khartoum and Darfur and other regions.

Listen to Global Observatory interview with Ibrahim Gambari>>