UNAMID aims to finalize Darfur troops’ deployment by December
July 13, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The hybrid peacekeeping mission aims to have 95 percent of its troops deployed in Sudan’s Darfur region by end-year, a UN senior official said today.
Speaking following the meeting, UN Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Ms. Susanna Malcorra told reporters she was now hoping to get 90-95 percent of the 26000 soldiers deployed before the end of 2009.
Malcorra echoed statements made last Wednesday by the UN Secretary General “My target is that by the end of this year we will complete the deployment of the mandated number of 26,000 soldiers,” Ban said during a visit to Dublin.
The largest ever UN operation still needs some 8,000 troops. Troops’ deployment has recently reached 68.75 of the mandated force strength.
The United Nations and African Union mission in Darfur took over from a smaller AU mission in January 2008. Sudan had been opposed in a first time to the deployment of a UN force but accepted it stipulating to have a majority of African troops.
The UNAMID force needs 24 helicopters including 18 transport and six tactical helicopters to operate effectively across the Darfur region, which is as big as France, and to move the supplies and equipment necessary to carry out its mandate.
Malcorra said the lack of helicopters hits the UNAMID ability to react swiftly to the security incidents in Darfur remote areas. However there is a demand and supply problem and the UN is competing with other international deployments “Afghanistan is a place that has absorbed a lot of helicopters” she further added.
Only Ethiopia has agreed to provide five tactical helicopters to the hybrid mission. During the meeting Sudan pledged to provide the needed facilities for these airplanes.
The meeting also reviewed outstanding matters pertinent to visas approvals and the status of activation of radio frequency for UNAMID. Other issues discussed included procurements and recruitment of national staff currently representing two thirds of UNAMID civilian personnel.
“The participants expressed determination to remove all obstacles facing the deployment of UNAMID for the benefit of the Sudanese people in general, and specifically the Darfurians who have been affected by war, displacement and insecurity,” said UNAMID spokesperson Nourredine Mezni.
Sudanese Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mutrif Sidiq, in the tripartite meeting in a joint press conference said despite the registered delay in the troops’ deployment has advanced thanks to the tripartite cooperation.
He further said Sudan would increase its efforts to support the expedited deployment of UNAMID with a view to facilitate reaching full Mission strength.
The parties agreed to hold the seventh tripartite meeting in New York in the margins of the sixty-fourth session of the UN General Assembly in September 2009.
The Sudanese delegation was led by the Sudanese Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mutrif Sadiq, while the AU was represented by Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra, and the UN by Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Ms. Susanna Malcorra. Joint Special Representative, Rodolphe Adada, led the UNAMID delegation.
(ST)