Khartoum: The Council of Ministers of the Darfur Regional Government held a meeting in Khartoum on Thursday, chaired by the region's Governor, Commander Minni Arko Minawi, with the participation of state walis, ministers, commissioners, and heads of regional bodies and institutions.
According to Sudan News Agency, Minister of Culture and Information of the regional government, Ahmed Izhag Shanab, said in a press statement that the meeting discussed the overall situation in the country and the region and identified priorities for the next phase. He stated that the Council focused on several priority issues, most notably humanitarian conditions, education, health, issues concerning internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, support for poor families, and the payment of state employees' entitlements, in addition to discussing arrangements for the adoption of the Darfur Region Law.
The meeting also addressed the challenges facing residents of the Darfur states, particularly water scarcity, the cessation of rainfall, and the risks of drought. Shanab affirmed the regional government's intention to strengthen coordination with national, international, and regional organizations to address these challenges. He revealed that the meeting discussed a proposal to establish a special fund for disasters and humanitarian response in the region to mobilize resources and coordinate efforts to respond to emergencies and support IDPs and affected people across all states of the region.
Regarding education, the Council stressed the need to continue efforts to ensure the continuity of the educational process and address the impact of the war on students and educational institutions, while strengthening health services and supporting the sectors most affected. The meeting also discussed the payment of state employees' salaries, with particular focus on teachers, and efforts to find solutions to ensure the regular payment of their entitlements within available resources.
With respect to the security front, the Council discussed the issue of Popular Resistance in Darfur and the need to reorganize, restructure, and better coordinate its components, stressing the importance of strengthening coordination to complete efforts to liberate the region from the rebel militia. The meeting renewed its commitment to the rule of law, international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilians, while ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those entitled to receive it in coordination with humanitarian organizations and civil society.
The Governor of Darfur Region provided a briefing on the overall situation in the region and the country, stressing the importance of setting government priorities, strengthening institutional work, and enhancing coordination among the various components of the Darfur Regional Government. Shanab concluded by saying that the meeting represents an important beginning for organizing the work of the regional government during the coming period and setting priorities according to the needs of citizens.