Darfur / UNAMID joint special representative visit to Nyala, South Darfur

 

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, October 21, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Joint Special Representative (JSR) of UNAMID, the African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, Rodolphe Adada, accompanied by UNAMID Deputy Force Commander, Major General Emmanuel Karake Karenzi, and Police Commissioner, Michael Fryer and other senior officials, traveled to Nyala, South Darfur, on 18 October, for a two day working visit. During this visit, the delegation held meetings with representatives of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Kalma camp; South Darfur community leaders; UN Country team; International Non- Governmental Organizations (INGOs) Steering Committee; and the local authorities. The JSR also visited the UNAMID Super Camp at Nyala and inaugurated the first drinkable water borehole drilled by the Chinese Engineering Company. He pointed out that shortage of water is one of the main problems in Darfur and that the inauguration of this borehole will help fulfill the UN Secretary- General directives for UNAMID water self-sufficiency in Darfur and to make more potable water available to the local population.

This visit to Nyala is a follow-up to the recent tour in Darfur, last week, by Mr. Alain Le Roy, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and to continue discussions with IDPs in an effort to strengthen contacts and consolidate working relations with all concerned stakeholders.

On Sunday, 19 October, JSR Adada spent several hours visiting Kalma Camp, listening to the IDPs concerns and exchanging views on ways to strengthen security in and outside the camp in a bid to improve their living conditions. The IDPs of Kalma camp warmly received the JSR and his accompanying delegation and expressed their appreciation for the round-the-clock presence of UNAMID forces in the camp. The Head of the Sheikhs of the camp and many other IDPs leaders requested that UNAMID increases its presence to secure the protection of the Camp residents, stressing the importance they attach to security which they described as a top priority, even “before food and water”. During their interventions, the IDPs raised issues of concern such as health, education, environment, freedom of movement outside the camp and the political process.

JSR Adada reiterated UNAMID’s commitment towards the IDPs, adding that the Mission would soon establish two additional Community Policing Centers (CPC) inside the camp, to provide more protection and increase security. He stated that Kalma Camp, being the largest IDP camp in Darfur with 92, 000 residents, deserved more attention and efforts to alleviate the suffering of its population.

“Real protection of the people, here and elsewhere in Darfur, can be achieved through the political process … we will be stronger only if you, Darfurians and the Government of Sudan, reach a peace agreement”, the JSR told the IDPs, calling on them to support the work of the AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator, Djibril Bassole, to achieve this crucial goal. All ongoing initiatives related to Darfur were entirely in support of Bassole’s work, he concluded. At the end of their visit, the JSR and his delegation toured the Kalma market and the facilities set up by UNAMID for round-the-clock patrolling inside the camp.

The JSR also held a meeting at the UNAMID office in Nyala, with the Representatives of the Community Leaders to address the current tribal conflicts in the state and explore possible ways to deal with the Darfur issue. The leader presented a package of suggestions aimed at solving the Darfur conflict. They underlined that they were able to achieve 46 tribal reconciliations so far, and were ready to cooperate with UNAMID to continue working for peace in Darfur. JSR Adada thanked them for their views and reiterated that the solution of this conflict lies in a consensus of Darfurians and all Sudanese in general, through negotiations, as the only option to reach a lasting peace in the region.

The JSR also met with Dr. Farah Mustafa, the South Darfur State Deputy Wali (Deputy Governor). The meeting focused on the ongoing cooperation between UNAMID and the State. The JSR briefed the Deputy Wali on his meetings with the Kalma IDPs Camp leaders and other related activities, requesting the local government to do every effort possible to facilitate the work of INGOs in Kalma camp. “UNAMID is here to narrow the bridge between the authorities and the IDPs, therefore we need your continuous cooperation” he added. In response, the Deputy Wali reiterated the commitment of his government to fully cooperate with UNAMID and facilitate the work of UN Agencies and INGOs operating in South Darfur.

 

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