Darfur / Visit of UN Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Alain Le Roy, to El Geneina, West Darfur and Nyala, South Darfur

 

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, October 13, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UNAMID Daily Media Brief / 2008-10-12

On 10 October 2008, Under Secretary-General, Alain Le Roy, together with the Joint Special Representative, Rodolphe Adada, UNAMID Force Commander, General Martin Agwai and UNAMID senior officials visited UNAMID Sector headquarters in El Geneina, West Darfur.

 

Upon his arrival, Mr. Le Roy paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of West Darfur, Abu Ghassim, who reiterated his Government’s commitment to cooperate with UNAMID. “I shall do everything possible in my official capacity to encourage dialogue among the various players in the Darfurian peace scenario so that a solution could be found to pave the way for the safe return of IDPs to their original homes,” said Mr. Ghassim.

 

The USG explained that the purpose of his visit was to familiarize himself with the situation on the ground. He commended the Governor for his efforts to unite different ethnic and political groups in the State. Mr. Le Roy concurred with the Governor on the need to enhance UNAMID police presence in the camps and reassured that plans are in place to address this issue.

 

While in El Geneina, the USG also met with UNAMID staff deployed in the region and visited the site of the new El Geneina airport, where he was briefed on the progress made as well as constraints being faced.

 

Later that day, the delegation flew to Nyala, South Darfur where they spent the evening. While in Nyala, the USG was briefed by UNAMID staff (civilian, military and police) deployed in the region, representatives from iNGOs and UN agencies on progress the made as well as the challenges and constraints, especially in terms of the security and humanitarian conditions.

 

While in South Darfur, Mr. Le Roy visited Kalma IDP camp, where he met with the Sheiks and discussed issues of concern, including the security situation in and around the camp and the restriction of oil supplies needed to provide clean water to the camp. The Sheiks expressed their appreciation to UNAMID for providing a 24/7 presence in the camp, and requested UNAMID to increase their deployment in the region to ensure security and protection of civilians. The USG assured the IDPs of the UN’s commitment in providing adequate support and protection for the IDPs and added that “we will do the best with the limited resources we have. We have to provide security in all IDP camps across Darfur,” said the USG.

 

The USG also met with the Deputy Governor of South Darfur, Dr. Farah Mustafa, who reiterated the Government’s commitment to cooperate with UNAMID. USG Le Roy highlighted the task of the new Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur, Mr. Djibril Bassole, who will work to bring all parties concerned to reach an inclusive and lasting peace in Darfur. He urged the government to also extend its cooperation to UN agencies and the humanitarian community working in the region.

 

At a medal ceremony organized by the UNAMID Nigerian and Chinese contingents at the UNAMID Supercamp in Nyala, USG Le Roy, JSR Adada and FC Agwai awarded the military officers with peacekeeping medals of honor.

 

The USG concluded the third-leg of his trip in Darfur by visiting the UNAMID Labado Team site.

 

 

 

SOURCE : United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)