AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DARFUR INTEGRATED TASKFORCE (DITF)

SUPPORT BY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY There has been overwhelming goodwill from the International Community towards AU Mission in Darfur. At the strategic level, the DITF, there are two important cooperative groups that meet regularly to discuss and assist AMIS operation. The idea of establishing these two forums on AU Mission in Darfur is to appropriately identify the needs and to coordinate support for the mission. The partners also provide experts in specific areas to work closely with AU's staff. i). The Liaison Group (LG) meeting takes place on Mondays and Thursdays and chaired by the Head of the DITF, with Senior Military, Police, and Political Affairs Officer. The LG meeting is attended by representatives of European Union, United States of America, European Union Experts and UN experts. During the meeting, the AU indicates its requirements and partners ask questions related to the support provided. ii). The Partners Technical Support Group (PTSG) meeting meets regularly on Wednesdays and is chaired by a senior member of the European Union delegation in Addis Ababa. The meeting is attended by representatives from the Embassies of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United States of America, the United Nations and NATO. Through the Liaison Group and the Partners Technical Support Group, AMIS has continued to receive the necessary funding, technical support in terms of experts and training of MILOBS, staff officers, and Civilian Police. European Union CONTRIBUTION TO THE MISSION (AMIS) Vehicles, Communication Equipment, Pay & Allowances, Experts (CIVPOL) & Maps. United Nations CONTRIBUTION TO THE MISSION (AMIS) UN Assistance Support Cell in Addis Ababa, Staff Training, & Mapex   NATO CURRENT ASSISTANCE Strategic Air Lift Staff Training at Strategic/Operational Levels MAPEX under UN auspcies ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE Tactical Air lift Information Analysis Training Capacity Building for PSOD Staff (including training and supply of Office Equipment) after AMIS transition to UN Basic Operational Eqpt (NVE, Trg Aids, Flak jackets) Training Simulators for Staff Trg United States of America CONTRIBUTION TO THE MISSION (AMIS) Construction and Maintenance of camp facilities, observers. Canada CONTRIBUTION TO THE MISSION (AMIS) 105 APCs including Training & Maintenance support package, Ammunition, Ground Fuel, 25 Helicopters, Experts, Maps   NORWAY Communication Equipment CIVPOL Accommodation at IDP Camps (26 in place, 39 to start)   NETHERLANDS Communication equipment

1. Introduction

Following the signing of the Humanitarian Cease Fire Agreement on April 8 2004 and the May 28 Agreement on the Modalities for the Establishment of the Cease-Fire Commission and the deployment of observers in the Darfur, the African Union has established the Ceasefire Commission (CFC), and has deployed the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). On current plans, the Commission has received a new mandate from the Peace and Security Council to strengthen AMIS in order to reinforce the ceasefire and undertake confidence-building measures with the civilian population in Darfur as well as finalizing the plan for expansion of AMIS.

In addition, recognising that a political settlement is critical for the consolidation of long term peace and security in Darfur, the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson has appointed a Special Envoy to facilitate the political talks between the Government of Sudan and the movements of Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The second round of the Talks were completed on 18 September 2004. The 3 rd round is scheduled for 21 October 2004.

In this regard the Peace and Security Department (PSD) has reviewed the institutional framework for management of its activities in the Darfur crisis. This document provides a plan to establish a dedicated AU HQ capacity to effectively direct and support AMIS. The capability will be entitled the Darfur Integrated Taskforce (DITF). The DITF, which will include military and civilian staff under civilian lead, will be staffed by a combination of current AU personnel and officers to be recruited.

2. GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE DARFUR INTEGRATED TASK FORCE (DITF)

The African Union Commission Peace and Security Department:

Establishes the DITF, as a dedicated team (political and military) responsible for planning and supporting the current Darfur activities within the framework of the humanitarian ceasefire agreement as well as activities, which might arise from any future political settlement.

  Ensure that it is staffed with the qualified personnel from AU Member States.

Ensure that the DITF is resourced fully to effectively support AMIS achieves its objectives and tasks.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE DARFUR INTEGRATED TASK FORCE (DITF) ARE TO ASSIST AMIS TO ACHIEVE ITS MANDATE WHICH IS TO:

  Support AMIS in the effective implementation of the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement.

Support the Darfur Mediation Team(DMT).

  Ensure the effective implementation of political settlement upon its signature.

4.  RATIONALE FOR THE DARFUR INTEGRATED TASK FORCE (DITF)

The Darfur crisis has highlighted the need to link the political and military issues and ensure coordination between planning and implementation elements within the African Union.

Specifically, there is a need to ensure proper coordination and communication between Headquarters (HQ/Addis) and AMIS, in order to provide clear, accurate and up to date information regarding the AMIS and DMT activities to senior political leadership, for the development of sound strategy and policies. In addition, there is need to provide clear policy guidance and sound operational support to AMIS and DMT to achieve their objectives in support of the peace process.

Moreover, there is a need for providing regional and international partners a focal point via which the support can be channeled for the implementation of the humanitarian ceasefire agreement and advance the political talks.

Therefore, African Union Commission Peace and Security Department (PSD) deems it necessary to establish a DITF, which can support the aforementioned processes in an organised manner.

5. SUMMARY OF TASKS FOR THE DITF (HQ)

  Advise the Chairperson and the Commissioner for Peace and Security on strategy for effective implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement and any future political settlement.

  Advise and support the work of the AMIS headed by the Chairperson's Special Representative and the DMT headed by the Special Envoy.

  Plan for the establishment and expansion of the AMIS.

  Serve as focal point in the HQ and provide the necessary support for AMIS activities in Darfur, Sudan.

  Serve as the focal point for the partners who would like to support the AU efforts with respect to Darfur.

6. CONCLUSION

The DITF is implementing the recommendations of the AU-Led Assessment Mission of March 2005, which enjoined the DITF to coordinate its activities with the Peace Support Operations Division of the Peace and Security Department.