Head of Darfur mission urges removal of peacekeeping obstacles
June 5, 2008 (EL FASHER) — The head of the hybrid mission in Darfur urged the visiting UN delegation to provide the necessary help to remove the obstacles hindering the full deployment of the peacekeeping troops in the troubled region.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) delegation visited the United Nations-African Union Mission in Sudan (UNAMID) Headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur, as part of a 4-day visit to Sudan within the framework of a tour that will take them to a number of African states.
In a briefing to the visiting delegation, Rodolphe Adada urged the Security Council to help in accelerating the deployment of forces for UNAMID and in “eliminating all the small and big impediments that are standing in the way of achieving our goals.”
He further informed the UNSC delegation on the status of the mission, the work being accomplished and the challenges ahead. “UNAMID still lacks major capacities that will seriously compromise its ability to implement resolution 1769 if not obtained urgently,” he said.
The commander of the peacekeeping force speaking about the need for the mission said “We need the numbers to provide the security, to make the roads safe, to help the humanitarians do their job, even though there is no peace deal at this time”
The Nigerian Gen. Martin Agwai further added that within three or four months, he expected the force to grow to 13,000 with the Egyptian, Ethiopian, Thai and Nepalese troops. He expressed optimism the force could reach its goal of 80 percent of the full deployment by the end of the year.
But the mission still lacks five critical capabilities to become operational: attack helicopters, surveillance aircraft, transport helicopters, military engineers and logistical support.
The UNSC delegation went on a field visit to the Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp of Zam-Zam, just 13 km from El Fasher town. They were received by hundreds of IDPs many of whom were women and children carrying banners that read “No to War, Yes to Peace”.
In a meeting with Sheikhs, Umdas and representatives of women and the youth of the camp, the Council members had an opportunity to hear directly the IDPs’ own assessment of their situation and plight.
The main concern highlighted by the IDPs was the issue of security and protection. “Without security, nothing will be right in the camp,” stated one of the Umdas. They made a strong appeal to the Security Council to do all it can to ensure that UNAMID acquires the capacity to protect the people of Darfur.
Kumalo pledged that his delegation would use its voice to do whatever it can to bring the issues raised by the IDPs to the highest attention of the Council.
Also the Security Council delegation met with The Governor of North Darfur, Osman Mohamed Yusuf Kibir, who praised the relationship between his government and UNAMID and pledged his government’s full support in meeting the deployment needs of the mission.
He however urged the UNSC delegation to be fair in listening to all sides of the conflict and not to any one particular side.
Speaking to the media at the end of the visit, Ambassador Sawers said “the importance of the work of the UN has come through very strongly and the scale of the challenge and the commitment of the people on the ground has also made a vivid impression on us, members of the Security Council.”
“We will take that back to New York when we reflect on the problem of Darfur.” he added.
Sawers further called on the Sudanese government to keep airports in Darfur open to the UN “24 hours a day 7 days a week in order to improve the flow of humanitarian goods and workers.” He added, “We would like to see protected convoys of food and medicine for Darfuri from El Obeid to Darfur.”
(ST)