DARFUR - HIGH-LEVEL COMMITTEE MEETING ON THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001390 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PBROWN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI UN SU SUBJECT: DARFUR - HIGH-LEVEL COMMITTEE MEETING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT COMMUNIQUE KHARTOUM 00001390 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Summary: On September 1, the high-level committee that oversees the implementation of the Joint Communique on the facilitation of humanitarian activities in Darfur met in Khartoum. In the capacity of donor observer, U.S. Charge d'Affaires Alberto M. Fernandez, accompanied by a USAID representative, attended the meeting. ¶2. Participants acknowledged the positive and constructive cooperation between the Sudanese government and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in advancing the agenda of the Joint Communique, including the completion of the Directory of Procedures for NGOs. However, members of the committee also expressed concern surrounding the August 25 expulsion of the CARE International country director from Sudan, and welcomed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs' announcement that further discussions with senior CARE leadership and government officials are ongoing in an effort to resolve the issue. End summary. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. On September 1, the high-level committee that oversees the implementation of the Joint Communique on the facilitation of humanitarian activities in Darfur met for the sixth time since the signing of the agreement in March. The meeting was co-chaired by the Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. Attendants included representatives from the GNU Humanitarian Affairs Commission (HAC) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the Democratic Republic of Congo, international and national NGOs, and the UN. U.S. Charge d'Affaires Alberto M. Fernandez and USAID staff attended the meeting in the role of the donor observer. On August 1, the United States replaced the European Union in the rotating three-month donor position on the committee. -------------- CARE DIRECTOR EXPULSION -------------- ¶4. At the opening of the meeting, members of the committee expressed concern over the August 25 expulsion of the CARE country director from Sudan. Committee members noted that the manner of the departure undermined recent progress and the spirit of the Joint Communique. Participants welcomed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs announcement that efforts to resolve the issue were ongoing and that further discussions with the senior management of CARE were planned for the coming days. (Note: Following the conclusion of the high-level committee meeting, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the government had agreed to permit the CARE Country Director Paul Barker to temporarily return to Sudan in order to facilitate program handover to his successor. However, Barker reportedly rejected the Sudanese government's offer of returning unless the persona non grata status (PNG) is revoked entirely. End note.) -------------- PROGRESS REPORT -------------- ¶5. The Tripartite Joint Technical Committee (TJTC) presented a progress report to the committee highlighting the completion of the Directory of Procedures for NGOs and continuing efforts to refine the fast-track database. The Directory of Procedures for NGOs in Sudan represents a culmination of extensive collaboration and dialogue between the Sudanese government and international NGOs. The directory provides clear guidance on required documentation, and operating procedures for NGOs in Sudan, including an annex for Darfur-specific fast-track procedures. Intended to ensure transparency and facilitate the timely navigation of bureaucratic procedures by NGOs operating in Darfur and throughout Sudan, the directory will be published and widely circulated to NGOs and Sudanese embassies in Khartoum and worldwide. Annexes pertaining to fees and timeframes are scheduled to be complete by September 15, at which time, pending resolution of media guidance language, publication will go forward. As soon as possible, a decision regarding media guidance will be transmitted by the committee co-chairs to the TJTC to ensure the swift publication of the procedures. KHARTOUM 00001390 002.2 OF 002 ¶6. To support the dissemination and implementation of the Directory of Procedures, trainings for NGOs and Joint Procedures Center (JPC) staff are planned for September. In addition, the TJTC is preparing a second directory for government officials outlining guidance on how to implement revised procedures. The government directory will serve as a resource for officials, particularly at the state and local level, to facilitate consistent implementation. ¶7. The TJTC reported that efforts to refine the fast-track database continue. Technical difficulties and incomplete reporting from NGOs have undermined the efficacy of the database, to date. The TJTC hopes to utilize upcoming trainings on the Directory of Procedures to educate and encourage NGOs to provide more consistent and timely updates. Regular reporting will facilitate the usefulness of the data-base as a tool for monitoring outstanding issues and GNU adherence to the communique. -------------- CONCLUSION -------------- ¶8. Committee members acknowledged the positive developments generated from continued efforts of the TJTC and the high-level committee in advancing the agenda of the Joint Communique and encouraged ongoing dialogue and communication. Prior to the next meeting of the high-level committee scheduled for September 22, the TJTC will prepare a summary report on the achievements, challenges, and constraints of the Joint Communique to date. The report will fulfill reporting requirements outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1769 establishing the UN/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). The high-level committee also agreed to invite UNAMID as an observer to the next meeting. FERNANDEZ