Deputy Minister Vidar Helgesen

Deputy Minister Vidar Helgesen's speech at the IGAD Partners Forum

Oslo, 27. September

Minister, Excelencies, ladies and gentlemen.

Many of us met in Geneva in the beginning of June to address the humanitarian situation in Darfur. Much has happened since then: Two SC resolutions have been adopted, the AU has deployed a monitoring mission for the Cease-Fire Agreement, international attention has risen considerably.

The humanitarian situation in Darfur is still critical. During the first week of September I spent 3 days in the field, visited IDP-camps in all three Darfur States as well as a refugee camp in Eastern Chad. Met with government representatives, UN, AU-CFC, ICRC and NGOs. The lack of security and protection for the civilian population was desperate and deteriorating. Intimidation of IDPs took place in the camps in front of our eyes. Breaches of the Cease-Fire Agreement – by both sides – took place while we were there.

Following a long period of unacceptable impediments in the first half of this year, for a few months we have seen important improvements in humanitarian access. The humanitarian response is improving. Capacity of UN agencies and NGOs increasing. I am impressed by all the hard work people are doing under very harsh conditions. There are, however, still inaccessible areas, still lack of capacity – and, notably, still lack of funding. My governemnt has, so far, allocated funds in the range of 14 million Euro.

Whilst enhancing the humanitarian response in Darfur, we should not forget needs in other parts of Sudan. The situation in the South and the East needs our sustained and generous attention.

There are no humanitarian solutions to humanitarian problems. Solutions will require dramatically improved political efforts. The human suffering in Darfur is caused primarily by lack of security and protection. Main responsibility lies with the parties, in particular the Government. The Security Council resolutions are clear about what needs to be done and and these resolutions must guide all efforts of the UN and the international community.

The presence of human rights observers is an important element in providing security for the IDPs and other civilians. OHCHR has increased the number of Human Rights observers. My government supported the first deployment of these observers, and I am pleased to announce today that the Norwegian government has allocated 1,7 million so that together with the US and Canada, we will cover the budget for the second phase.. The observers must be field-based – in IDP camps, and at flash points where security is weak. And they must work together with the AU.

AU has shown commendable leadership and taken on an important task by deploying the monitoring mission within short time. The mission is in critical need of:

1. enhanced planning capacity in HQ,
2. a strengthened liaison office in Khartoum,
3. improved logistics operations,
4. an increased number of observers,
5. and an international police element.

Strengthening the AU mission is a massive task. There is a strong obligation on the international community to assist the AU in a spirit of partnership. We all want to see the AU succeed.

Efforts of the AU, the UN and other humanitarian actors are closely interlinked. Co-ordination and co-operation between all major actors important. Needs to be improved at HQ-level, in Khartoum as well as in the field whilst ensuring the integrity of the different actors.

Again: Real progress requires political solutions. Some progress has been made during the AU-led negotiations in Abuja. But we can not afford a long break. Parties must return to the negotiation table as soon as possible. First aim should be to sign the Humanitarian Protocol that has been initialled and conclude a protocol on security.

Finally, we need to see the conflict in Darfur in a national context. It must not be allowed to derail the Naivasha process. In addressing the urgent and short-term issues in Darfur, we must not lose sight of the fact that only a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between GOS and SPLM can provide the basis for a sustainable national solution to the problems of the marginalised areas, including Darfur.