The United Nations is engaged across a broad range of disciplines in trying to help the people of Sudan achieve peace and security following decades of devastating conflict. Diplomats, peacekeepers, relief workers, and others – all have important roles to play.

Ultimately, peace in Darfur will require a lasting political settlement. The Department of Political Affairs provides staff expertise to the Joint Mediation Support Team assisting in the joint peacemaking efforts of the United Nations and the African Union.

DPA previously provided staff expertise to the mediation effort led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) which produced the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ending Sudan’s long North-South conflict in 2005. DPA was the lead U.N. entity on Sudan throughout the negotiations.

As the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) works currently to improve security conditions in Darfur, a separate UN peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) is assisting the Government of National Unity in implementing the CPA throughout the country, which is essential for building sustainable peace in Sudan.