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Joint Commission pledges continued commitment to Doha Document
KHARTOUM – A continued commitment to the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), particularly the Final Security Arrangements, was the focus of the Third Meeting of the DDPD Joint Commission, which was held today in Khartoum.
The Commission, one of two ceasefire monitoring and operational mechanisms provided for in the DDPD, is chaired by Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Joint Special Representative (JSR) of the African Union-United Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Membership in the body includes the three parties to the Doha Document—the Government of Sudan, the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) and the Justice and Equality Movement – Sudan (JEM-Sudan). It is also comprised of representatives of the State of Qatar, the League of Arab States and the European Union, as well as observers from Canada, China and Norway.
In his opening address, JSR Chambas welcomed positive developments which had taken place over the previous year, including the joining of JEM-Sudan to the DDPD and the signing of an agreement between the Government of Sudan and LJM on the implementation of the final security arrangements.
The JSR noted that that the Mission’s task was to support the signatories. “UNAMID stands prepared to assist the parties in the line with the provisions of the DDPD. We are also ready to play an advocacy role to mobilize support for the processes that follow,” he said.
The meeting considered a report on the status of the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Final Security Arrangements from UNAMID’s Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Paul Ignace Mella, who chairs the Ceasefire Commission (CFC). Most notably, the report included a formal communication from the Government of Sudan and LJM to the Chairperson of the Joint Commission confirming their decision to skip phases of the Final Security Arrangements; the number of LJM combatants for integration into the country’s police and armed forces; the number of LJM combatants to undergo disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; funding availability for reintegration of ex-combatants; and, implementation of modalities for limited arms control.
It also discussed a report by JEM-Sudan on the progress on security arrangements with the Government of Sudan and urged the parties to work closely with the Ceasefire Commission on verification of movement’s military dispositions. As a way forward, the Commission decided that the Government of Sudan and JEM-Sudan should commence a verification exercise.
The Commission concluded by recognizing the crucial role the international community can play in achieving durable peace in Darfur and encouraged those partners to provide continued support to the implementation of the DDPD.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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