(Gulf Times) - The University of Zalingei, in the state of Central Darfur, Sudan

, has conferred an honorary doctorate on HE the Speaker of the Advisory Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, in Peace and Development Studies in recognition of and honouring his role in establishing the Darfur peace process, which culminated in the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement and the ensuing security, stability and development and reconstruction projects throughout the region.
This came during a ceremony organised by the University of Zalingei on the occasion of the graduation of a number of its students, in the presence of Ibrahim al-Senoussi, Assistant President of the Republic, Professor Tijani Mustafa, Minister of Higher Education, ambassador of Qatar to Sudan Rashid bin Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi, and a number of Sudanese officials.
Ambassador al-Nuaimi received the doctorate, expressing the thanks and appreciation of HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al Mahmoud for the honour which he said reflects the meaning of loyalty and confirms the authenticity of the people of Darfur.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ibrahim al-Senoussi called on university students to contribute to the improvement of the social fabric and to remove the effects of the armed conflict and to foster peace established by the Doha peace document in Darfur.
Ambassador Rashid bin Abdulrahman al-Nuaimi praised the peace that prevailed throughout Darfur as a result of the Doha document, which was supported by the people of Darfur and at the regional and international levels as the basis of peace in Darfur.
He affirmed the commitment of Qatar to implement all its programmes in Darfur for peace, development and stability, and to proceed with the implementation of the second phase of reconstruction and development projects in Darfur.
He also announced the launching of the second phase of the reconstruction of Darfur by the establishment of 10 service model compounds in the states of Greater Darfur in the coming days.
He praised the strong relations between the two countries, the government and the people, stressing Qatar’s continued support for the peace process, stability and development in Darfur.
For his part, Al-Shartai Jafar Abdul Hakam, Governor of Central Darfur, appreciated the efforts of Qatar in establishing peace and stability through the Doha Peace Document, praising its continued support for development projects in Darfur.