UNAMID chief meets with Presidential Adviser in Khartoum

October 13, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – A senior diplomat leading the joint African Union and the United Nations mission in Darfur met Monday with a high-level figure from the government of Sudan.

UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR) Rodolphe Adada briefed Presidential Adviser for African Affairs Bona Malwal on the peacekeeping mission’s work to restore security and stability in Darfur as well as create a climate conducive to the success of the political process.

The presidential adviser and the UNAMID chief exchanged views on the need to re-energize the peace process in the Darfur.

Malwal, a journalist by profession and veteran politician, founded the Southern Front Party but had an often contentious relationship with John Garang, the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. Malwal joined the current government in 2005.

Adada also and UNAMID Force Commander General Martin Luther Agwai had a meeting with government officials to discuss the establishment of a Darfur Integrated Task Force (DITF).

The joint task force was proposed after the Kalma killings of August 25, to address the security concerns in Darfur.

(ST)