Accra — The Board of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation has disclosed that after many months of working with Darfurian civil society to build a mandate for peace, the Sudanese government is obstructing the safe passage of Darfurian delegates from Sudan , forcing the organizers to cancel the conference.

"The Mandate Darfur conference was to be a coming together of genuine representatives of Darfur from across all geographic, ethnic, religious and political backgrounds, including traditional and young leaders and a strong contingent of Darfurian women.

"From the beginning of this process when we were approached by a group of Darfurian civil society leaders, we have endeavoured to engage with the Sudanese government, the armed movements, a broad cross-section of civil society and the international community to build an unprecedented coalition of support for this initiative. This support includes the African Union, the Arab League, the United Nations, the European Union and a wide spectrum of former African leaders.

"We believe that their coming together will help to find a way forward in the peace process. There is no element of this conference that could or should have been perceived as acting against the interests of the Sudanese government.

"Despite numerous attempts at engagement with the Sudanese government, including sending a delegation to Khartoum and inviting senior figures to address the conference, we were greatly disappointed that Sudanese security services harassed our delegates, confiscated passports and threatened the conference coordinators in Sudan. Ultimately, the government has refused to grant exit visas to the delegates making it impossible for the conference to proceed.

"We are saddened and disappointed that the government of Sudan did not take advantage of this opportunity to forward the cause for peace and allow civil society to engage constructively. Such engagement is vital for sustainable peace in the region and is specifically called for by the UN Security Council resolution (1828) 2008.

"We will continue to stand with Darfurian civil society as they attempt to forge a peaceful future for their country and trust that the international community will remain committed to ensuring that the voices of the Darfurian people are heard."

Earlier African leaders had pledged to stand in solidarity with the civilians of Darfur as they meet in Addis Ababa to construct a mandate for their future. Joining the voices of support for this important Darfurian-owned initiative, the Africa Forum for former Heads of State and Government, The Elders and the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) all welcomed the initiative. These organisations join the many Governments, international and regional organisations and NGOs in endorsing Mandate Darfur.

Speaking on behalf of the Africa Forum, a group of former African heads of state and government, H.E. Mr Joaquim Alberto Chissano, former president of Mozambique and Chairperson of Africa Forum said, "Darfur's problems will only be solved when the people of Darfur have their voices heard in the peace process. I look forward to standing with the people of Darfur when they take this important step into the future."

The Elders welcomed Mandate Darfur and noted that "It is crucial that Darfuris themselves take the lead in seeking a resolution to the devastating conflict that has caused so much suffering and loss of life in Darfur and that the views and aspirations of civil society are properly taken into account in future peace negotiations."

Welcoming the support of African leaders on behalf of Mandate Darfur, Mo Ibrahim, founder and Chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said, "We are pleased that leaders from across Africa are standing with our brothers and sisters in Darfur as we aim to make their voices heard in Sudan and around the world. Through Mandate Darfur, Darfurians will articulate a positive vision for a just and sustainable peace."

During the course of the conference, Darfurian delegates from across tribal, ethnic, geographic and religious communities will debate the numerous political, economic and developmental issues at stake in order to build a sustainable peace in the region. Their discussion is anticipated to lead to an agreed mandate that will provide the civil society perspective on future peace negotiations.

Following the conference, Mandate Darfur will work to deliver the Mandate around the world to ensure that leaders within Sudan, Africa and the wider world pursue the interests of the Darfurian people to find a lasting peace in the region.