Assembly/AU/6(XV) Page 10 the two delegations on the post referendum issues and arrangements. The substantive negotiations are expected to commence immediately after the Exposure Session. 45. In Darfur, the reporting period witnessed outbreak of hostilities between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), in West Darfur, which caused a sharp rise in the number of fatalities. Also worth noting is the resurgence of inter-ethnic conflicts. These clashes heavily affected the populations, leading to further displacement. Also worth mentioning are the recurrent attacks targeting UNAMID. 46. The peace process continues to face major challenges. On 23 February 2010, in Doha, the Government of the Sudan and JEM signed a Framework Agreement to Resolve the Conflict in Darfur, which was negotiated and initialed in N’djamena, on 20 February, under the auspices of President Idriss Déby Itno. However, this process has since been seriously undermined, with the parties failing to agree on a ceasefire implementation Protocol or a final Agreement, followed in May by an outbreak of fighting and JEM’s withdrawal from the peace process. However, on 18 March 2010, the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), which merged members of the Tripoli and Addis Ababa Groups into a single new movement, and the Government of the Sudan signed a Framework Agreement to resolve the Conflict of Darfur, as well as a Ceasefire Agreement. Discussions between the Government of the Sudan and the LJM have resumed in Doha on 6 June 2010. The Joint AU-UN Mediator, Djibril Bassolé, and the Government of Qatar have also taken steps to bring in representatives of IDPs and refugees, as well as the civil society, for consultations. In this regard, mention should be made of the convening of the 2nd Darfur Civil Society Conference in Doha, from 12 to 15 July 2010. 47. In line with the report and recommendations of the AUPD, as endorsed by the PSC and the Assembly, there should be an inclusive political process in Darfur, involving all stakeholders and covering all relevant issues. To this end, the AUHIP and UNAMID are working together to convene, within Darfur, an inclusive DarfurDarfur Conference (DDC), at a date shortly to be determined. The Government of the Sudan has indicated its willingness to facilitate the early holding of the DDC, as part of the overall efforts to domesticate the peace process and make it more inclusive. 48. Significant progress has been made in the deployment of UNAMID: the deployment of troops has reached 87.80% of the authorized strength, while that of the police component has reached 79.10% of the authorized strength. With this progress, efforts are now focused on ways and means to optimize the “employment” of UNAMID assets and resources, in order to further enhance security, recovery and development in Darfur. 49. Sudan, this microcosm of Africa, is entering one of the most critical phases of its history. For the region and the African Continent, the successful completion of the ongoing processes is of utmost importance. The AU is confident that, with genuine support from the international community, the Sudanese people have the capacity to seize this historic opportunity to overcome the challenges facing them. It is crucial