UNAMID’S exit strategy team arrives in N. Darfur to assess security conditions
May 14, 2016 (EL-FASHER) – The tripartite team tasked with developing an exit strategy for the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Saturday has arrived in North Darfur capital, El-Fasher to assess the situation in the region.
In press statements in El-Fasher on Saturday, foreign ministry spokesperson Ali al-Sadiq said the team aims to assess the humanitarian, security and political conditions in Darfur in order to develop a clear roadmap for the mission’s exit.
He added that the visit to North Darfur would extend for two days, saying the team will meet with the UNAMIID and each government in Darfur’s five states separately.
Al-Sadiq pointed that the team will also visit one of the IDP’s camps in North Darfur, saying it would submit a report to the meeting of the joint mechanism at the strategic level which will be held in Khartoum on 23 May.
In its meeting on 18 April in Khartoum, the tripartite team decided to conduct field visits to Darfur before to start a gradual and smooth exit from the restive region.
It is noteworthy that the UN linked the full withdrawal of the peacekeeping operation from Darfur region with signing of a ceasefire agreement within a peace agreement where the protection of civilians can be ensured.
The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in the western Sudan’s region.
It is the world’s second largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops.
UN agencies say there are nearly 2.5 million displaced persons in Darfur, despite the signing of peace agreement in Doha in July 2011.
MEETING NORTH DARFUR GOVERNOR
Meanwhile, the governor of North Darfur state Abdel-Wahid Youssef told reporters following the meeting with the team which was attended by the state’s security committee that they discussed all issues pertaining to the exit strategy.
Yossef pointed that he told the team that there is no need for the UNAMID’s presence in areas such as Um Kadada and Al-Malha, saying the team would take the appropriate decision to develop a clear exit strategy for the mission.
He added that he furnished the team with a comprehensive report on the security situation in the state besides his government’s plans regarding issues of the IDP’s, reconciliations and the collection of arms as well as the political and humanitarian conditions.
The governor pointed that he brought up the issue of the vast amounts of money spent by the international community on the peacekeeping mission, saying this money must be allocated for the reconstruction and resettlement efforts.
(ST)