Location
Greater Darfur is located in the western part of Sudan. It shares borders with Libya, Chad and Central African Republic. It is comprised of three states: Northern Darfur State (Al Fashir is the Sate Capital), Southern Darfur State (Nyala is the State Capital) and Western Darfur State (Al Genena is the State Capital).

Area
One fifth of the country’s total area-196 404 square miles.

Population:
Greater Darfur has a population of 6.8 million. It consists of about 90 tribes and ethnic groups

Economic Activities
Agriculture and pasture are the main activities in Greater Darfur. The main crops include: Sorghum, millet, peanuts and gum Arabic.

Roots of the conflict
Agriculture, animal herding and pasturing are the main economic activities in Greater Darfur. Frictions often occur between farming communities and animal herders who are always on the move in search of water and pastures. Incidents between them used to be settled through mediation of tribal leaders based on commonly known and accepted traditional modalities. But the drought that hit the Sahel zone across Africa in the last decades and the absence of tribe leaders’ influence led to the escalation of the tension over the ever scarce meadows and water resources.

This was further aggrevated by the proliferation of arms in Darfur from some neighboring countries that experienced armed conflicts. As a result a number of armed groups and rebel movements e.g. SLM and JEM came into existence. The rebel groups were dominated by certain tribes. Then tribes who were not well represented in these groups reacted by forming their own militia for self-defense.

Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA)
After lengthy and difficult negotiations between the Sudan Government, SLM and JEM with AU and then President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria as mediators a detailed and comprehensive peace agreement on Darfur was signed in Abuja on 6 May2006 by the Sudan government and the main rebel group SLM, led by Mr. Manny Arkoy Mennawi who is now the Chief Assistant to the President of the Republic and head of the Darfur Interim Authority. The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) was welcomed by the AU, UN, EU, US government and many other governments as a fair and comprehensive settlement to the conflict of Darfur. Two small rebel groups however refused to sign the DPA.These two factions and their splintered groups were responsible for most attacks that targeted civilians, African forces and relief workers in Darfur.

Cooperation with the UN
The government of Sudan has worked on various directions and exerted great efforts to resolve the Darfur crisis. It has cooperated with the United Nations and the following are the commitments made by them:

The United Nations:
-Pledged to do its utmost best to help the humanitarian needs of the affected people in Darfur and Sudanese refugees in Chad consistent with its 90 day humanitarian plan.
-Assist in the quick deployment of African Union cease fire monitors.
-Stands ready to continue to help in the mediation process in Darfur
-Commits itself subsequent to Security Council resolutions to assist in the implementation of agreements reached in South Sudan and Darfur. To that end the UN shall continue the preparations it has started for a possible peace keeping role when agreements have been reached.

The Government of Sudan (GoS)

On humanitarian Issues
-Committed itself to facilitate all humanitarian work in Darfur and remove any obstacles to humanitarian work including:
-Suspension of Visa restrictions for all humanitarian workers and permit freedom of movement for aid workers throughout Darfur.
-Permit immediate temporary NGOs registration through a simple notification process that HAC will offer to manage on behalf of NGOs.Permanent registration shall be processed within 90 days.
- Suspension of all restrictions for the importation and use of all humanitarian assistance materials, transport vehicles, aircrafts and communication equipment.

On human rights
-Undertake concrete measures to end impunity
-Undertake immediate investigation of all cases of violations.
-Ensure that the independent investigation committee established by presidential decree receives the necessary resources to undertake its work and that its recommendations are fully implemented.
-Ensure that all individuals and groups accused of human rights violations are brought to book without delay.
-Establish a fair system respectful of local traditions that will allow abused women to bring charges against alleged perpetrators.

On Security
-Deploy a strong credible and respected police force in all IDP areas as well as in areas susceptible to attacks
-Train all police units in human rights laws and hold them responsible for upholding it.
-Ensure that no militias are present in all areas surrounding IDP camps.
-Immediately start to disarm all outlawed groups.
-Ensure that immediate action is taken to rebuild the confidence of the vulnerable population and that any return of the displaced to their homes is done in truly voluntary manner in line with the current humanitarian Cease Fire Agreement.

On the Political settlement of the conflict in Darfur
-Resumption of political talks on Darfur at the earliest possible time to reach a comprehensive solution acceptable to all parties in the conflict.
-Since peace in Darfur is a requisite to peace in the South, the international community’s role in assisting the implementation of an eventual peace agreement in Darfur is much welcomed.

Implementation Mechanism
-The GoS and the UN agree to form a high level joint implementation mechanism (JIM) for this agreement.
-The GoS and the UN delegates to the JIM will be led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Sudan and the (SRSG) for the UN and its partners.
-The JIM shall closely follow and evaluate development and periodically report on progress of the implementation of this agreement to the GoS and UN.

Security and Humanitarian protocols:
The government of the Sudan, Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and JEM has signed two protocols on the improvement of the security situation and on the enhancement of the security situation in Darfur on 9 November 2004 in Abuja. Some important features of the protocols are:

1- The two parties condemn all acts of violence and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
2- Reiterate their commitment to cease fire agreement signed in N’djamena Chad on 8 April 2004.
3- The two parties commit themselves to guarantee unimpeded and unrestricted access for humanitarian workers and assistance to reach all needy people throughout Darfur.
4- Reaffirming their commitment to the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and independence of Sudan.
5-To cooperate with UN, AU and humanitarian organizations (governmental and Non governmental)
6- Refrain from all hostilities and military actions.