Darfur / United Nations /
Arrival of Joint Chief Mediator
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, August 27, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The newly appointed Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur, Mr. Djibril Bassole, will arrive the North Darfur capital of El Fasher on Thursday, 28 August 2007, to take up his new appointment and to familiarize himself with his new area of responsibility.
Bassole, the Foreign Minister of Burkino Faso, was jointly appointed by the United Nations Secretary General and the African Union Chairperson on 30 June 2008 with a mandate to conduct the mediation efforts in Darfur on a full-time basis.
A seasoned diplomat, the new Joint Chief mediator is expected to use his wealth of experience to reinvigorate the stalled Darfur peace process.
During the visit, Mr. Bassole will visit Nyala and El Geneina, the headquarters of South and West Darfur respectively. The visits will afford the Chief Mediator the opportunity to acquaint himself with the Darfur situation, and also meet with some of the major stakeholders in the Darfur peace process.
Bassole, who is already in Khartoum at the start of his visit to Darfur has stated that his priorities, which will be outlined by the people of Sudan, will include strengthening dialogue, and asking for a cessation of hostilities to create the conditions to search for a comprehensive political solution.
Both the local and international media based in Darfur are cordially invited to cover the JCM’s visit and be notified that he will address a press conference at the end of his visit.
SOURCE : United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
