Joint Report on the Visit by: Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Jan Pronk the SRSG to Nyala

1. The Co-chairs of the Joint Implementation Mechanism (JIM) Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Jan Pronk the SRSG visited Nyala (Southern Darfur State) on 10 and 11 November, 2004.
    
2. The Co-chairs held meetings with the Wali and other officials of southern Darfur Sate. Meetings were also held with the representatives of the UN, other organizations and agencies working in Darfur and representatives of NGOs.
    
3. Field visits were conducted to Al-Sireif IDP camp and the (former) Al-Jir IDP camp. The co-chairs also visited the villages of Sani Dalaiba, Abu Ajura and Shattaya, where IDPs had voluntarily returned to their villages of origin. The co-chairs spoke with the IDPs, the returnees and the representatives of different tribes.
    
4. The representatives of the UN agencies and NGOs reported some incidents of looting and attack on humanitarian convoys and personnel. They also expressed concern over the tension and violence that took place during the previous week.
    
5. The co-chairs inspected Al Sireif camp which was newly established by the Government of Southern Darfur. They concluded that it is organized and suitable for habitation and requested the International NGOs to provide more services to the IDPs in the camp.
    
6. During the visit to Al Jir camp, the co-chairs were briefed on the incidents of violence that occurred during the relocation of the IDPs to Al Sireif camp. The Wali and other officials of Southern Darfur State spelt out the reasons behind the relocation which included legal and security factors and the requirements and considerations of town planning.
    
7. After visiting the villages of Sani Dalaiba, Shattaya and Abu Ajura the Co-chairs concluded that the return of those villagers was voluntary. The villagers had no complains against the police forces and they expressed satisfaction at the level of security provided by the forces in and around the villages. The returnees have begun to resume their normal life. They have cultivated their land and collected their harvest. They are in need of health and education services.
    
8. The Wali briefed the Co-chairs on the tribal reconciliation process and strategies for peaceful coexistence in Southern Darfur State.
    
9. The Co-chairs convened a wrap-up meeting at the end of the visit and agreed on the following conclusions:
   1. The trip was very useful; it helped clear most of the misunderstanding and the conflicting information on the relocation of Al Jir camp.
   2. The Government has the right to determine the location of the IDP camps, provided that the new sites are secure and accessible to humanitarian personnel. The UN and NGOs have to respect the decision of the Government if the relocation is don in atransparent and in accordance with the MoA signed with IoM.
   3. The UN is not against the relocation.
   4. Any future relocation shall be assessed by IOM through the MCM according to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Sudan and the IOM.
   5. Any future relocation must take place without putting the IDPs into risk.
   6. The necessity of involving the AU monitors and the protection force in guarding relief convoys by establishing permanent and mobile stations along all relief corridors.
   7. The necessity of enhancing and improvingthe consultation mechanisms on the groung between all stakeholders GoS, Wali, head of UN, Representatives of INGOs and national NGOs, Representative of IDPs and the AU.
   8. International NGOs are called upon to expand their services to voluntary returnees in their villages.
   9. The Wali and his Government are to be commended for the concrete steps they had taken to achieve the voluntary return, reconciliation and confidence building between different tribes in the state.
   10. Exchange of information between stakeholders at all levels is impaerative to find durable solutions to problems that may arise.