Sudanese president awards Neelain Order to outgoing UNAMID commander

March 24, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir on Sunday awarded the commander of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Lt. Gen Patrick Nyamvumba, the Neelain Order (First Class) on the occasion of his assignment’s expiration in Sudan.

Following his meeting with Bashir, the Rwandan commander expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the government and people of Sudan for the cooperation and support rendered to the mission, which he said contributed to the success of its work during his tenure in the country.

Nyamvumba praised the progress made so far in Darfur through the Doha agreement, stressing that UNAMID will continue to support the peace process among all parties to the conflict.

The UN Security Council’s (UNSC) resolution 1769, adopted unanimously on 31 July 2007, paved the way for the establishment of UNAMID – the largest and most expensive peacekeeping operation in the world. The agency’s core mandate is to provide protection to Darfuri civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

(ST)