UNAMID top official calls for establishment of security in Darfur
May 5, 2008 (OSLO) — A top UN official said today that security in Darfur is the top priority for peacekeeping force that is in the process of being deployed.
“We should consolidate the secure zones, build confidence in the grey zones, and work hard for a ceasefire and civilian protection in the areas of active hostilities” he said.
The UN official said that the deterioration in security situation in Darfur caused lack of access by humanitarian leading to “nutritional indicators above the emergency threshold for the first time since 2005”.
A group of donor countries are meeting in Oslo, Norway to show their support for maintaining peace in Sudan by pledging development funds.
Adada said the priorities for UNAMID operations include securing humanitarian convoys, protecting IDP camps, reviving ceasefire commission engaging rebel movements and involving civil society groups and Darfur IDP’s in the peace process.
But he stressed that Darfur “cannot wait for UNAMID to become fully deployed and cannot wait for the peace process to unfold”.
UN Security Council adopted resolution 1769 on July 31st which authorized a hybrid UN-AU force (UNAMID) consisting of 26,000 troops and police but so far it only has only 9,000 personnel.
However the deployment was impeded by Khartoum’s objections to the composition of the force and lack of helicopters. The UN has for months been seeking 6 attack and 18 transport helicopters to support the force with no success.
Peace talks brokered by the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) between Sudan’s government and Darfur rebel groups in the Libyan city of Sirte last October failed after main movements boycotted them.
International experts also say more than 300,000 were killed and 2 million have been driven from their homes by the conflict in Darfur, a region that is roughly the size of France.
(ST)