Peace Process Must Include Civil Society and Displaced Persons

JUBA, SUDAN - The Save Darfur Coalition welcomes the announcement of a "framework agreement" and ceasefire between the Government of Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) - one of the main armed movements in Darfur.

Jerry Fowler, the president of the Save Darfur Coalition, who is currently in Sudan and has been traveling in Darfur and Sudan for the past two weeks on a human rights assessment mission, said "This commitment from the Sudanese government and JEM could be a step toward peace. It is of the utmost necessity now that both sides adhere to a ceasefire to protect civilians; allow full access to humanitarian organizations in territory controlled by their forces; and continue to work for a durable political solution in Darfur that involves other armed movements and leaders from all communities in Darfur, including those who are internally displaced."

He added, "In the past week, I have met with dozens of leaders across Darfur who are desperately longing for peace. They represent an emerging constituency for peace. The Sudanese government and all armed elements in Darfur must listen to these voices and their real concerns. Signing another piece of paper in Doha is not enough."

To interview Jerry Fowler, currently in Juba, Sudan, please contact Andrea Clarke at 202-460-6756, andrea@savedarfur.org  or Emily Diamond-Falk at 202-525-8153, emily@savedarfur.org

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About Save Darfur Coalition: The Save Darfur Coalition – an alliance of more than 180 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations – raises public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and mobilizes a unified response to the atrocities that threaten the lives of people throughout the Darfur region. The coalition’s member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Darfur. For more information on the coalition, please visit www.SaveDarfur.org.