Almost a year after Sudan’s government and one of three
rebel factions signed the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA),
the humanitarian and security situation has deteriorated
in the troubled western region of Sudan. Despite a recent
lull, the post-DPA period has seen increased combat,
including further government reliance on aerial
bombardment and its allied Janjaweed militia. Civilian
displacement continues while humanitarian space shrinks.
If there is to be peace, the international community will
need to coordinate better to surmount significant obstacles
including Khartoum’s pursuit of military victory and
growing rebel divisions. Over the last year, the primary
focus has been on overcoming resistance of the ruling
National Congress Party (NCP) to deployment of UN
peacekeepers (or an AU/UN hybrid) so that civilians
can be better protected; that remains essential but elusive,
even after the NCP’s 16 April acceptance of the UN
heavy support package for the AU force, as does an
effective ceasefire. Equally important, however, and
the focus of this report, is revitalising the moribund peace
process.
