Human rights in Darfur have deteriorated citing violence, harassment, arbitrary arrest, and detention in the region according to the UN SG Ban Ki-moon’s most recent Report. The UNSG also notes that Khartoum has conditioned further negotiations on basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. The Khartoum Government will only negotiate with other rebel groups once they have renounced their call for regime change in Khartoum by “all possible means”. Khartoum is only be willing to negotiate the aspect of the DDPD that focus on security arrangements and political appointments, rather than the comprehensive considerations needed to deliver a comprehensive and lasting peace. "Roadmap" for Peace Off Track? According to “Security Council Report – What’s in Blue” – “It had been anticipated that the “roadmap for peace in Darfur” would be incorporated in the latest report and serve as a focus of tomorrow’s briefing. However, it now appears that the roadmap will be released as a separate document. At press time, the roadmap had yet to be circulated to Council members. (It seems the key elements of the roadmap will be support for the implementation of the DDPD, internal dialogue in Darfur on the DDPD, engagement with the government and rebel groups that have not signed the DDPD, and coordination among international actors in support of the peace process.) It is possible that the Council may schedule another meeting to focus specifically on the roadmap in order to hold a substantive discussion once members have had a chance to consider its various elements.” Within the Council, members seem to have different perspectives on the right approach for nurturing the peace process in Darfur. There is, for example, a lack of consensus on the appropriate level of pressure that should be applied to persuade the rebel groups to pursue peace. Additionally, while some members seem to be wary of Khartoum’s intentions, others believe that the government of Sudan has made a credible effort to support peace in Darfur and that these efforts should be recognised and encouraged.” Link to Report - whatsinblue.org/2012/01/darfur-briefing-and-consultations.php Forgotten Darfur? Hervé Ladsous, Chief for UN Peacekeeping Operations (Bottom UN Photo during October 2011 visit to Darfur - Other UN Photos of residents & peacekeepers) will lead the briefing the Council tomorrow (11 January) on the AU/UN Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). The briefing will be followed by informal (closed door) consultations. With both the human rights and progress toward the “roadmap” deteriorating then this is not likely to be the last meeting on Darfur/Sudan. However, the UN Security Council had for some time been distracted or perhaps purposefully ignoring the situation. The independence of South Sudan, as we had anticipated a year earlier in our film report, -“Bashir in South Sudan & Darfur Forgotten” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/bashir-in-south-sudandarfur-forgotten/23951, has had effect of providing Khartoum more opportunity for abuse in Darfur. Recent ethnic/tribal fighting in South Sudan has also garnered the urgency of diplomatic and humanitarian activism. Bashir has almost been rehabilitated at least among neighbors but also such UN Security Council powers as China. (See Film Report – “China & ICC” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/china-icc/27589). International Criminal Court Indictment Gone with the Wind? The International Criminal Court indictment appears a paper plane next to one Bashir jaunts from neighbor to neighbor. Only last month though soon to leave ICC Prosecutor reminded the UN Security Council of the outstanding indictment(s), and the broad failure to honor both Council and ICC mandates to arrest and deliver. See Film Report: -“Reminding of Darfur @ UN Security Council” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/reminding-darfurun-security-council/29460 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook = Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX War Crimes Justice Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice