High-level AU delegation to visit Darfur

KHARTOUM, June 1 (AFP) — A high-level African Union delegation will set out on a three-day visit to Darfur to assess the humanitarian situation in the war-torn region, the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) said.

Darfurian women wait for food supplies in the Abu Shouk camp. (AFP) .

The group, led by Peace and Security Commissioner Said Djinnit, will kick off its tour in El Fasher, North Darfur state.

It will be joined there by the AMIS chief, the AU force commander and the police commissioner, said AMIS spokesperson Noureddine Mezni.

Mezni said the delegation would visit ZamZam and Kalma displaced persons camps in North Darfur and South Darfur, respectively, and the AMIS force headquarters in El Fasher.

Djinnit and his delegation will meeting in El Fasher with the humanitarian and NGO community on Saturday to discuss the situation in the region and “how best AMIS could continue to provide and enhance protection to humanitarian convoys and personnel,” said Mezni.

He said the delegation would wrap up its visit with a stopover in Khartoum on Saturday for consultations with Sudanese officials, as well as representatives of the international community and AU member states.

Between 180,000 and 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur and at least 2.4 million others displaced since fighting broke out between local rebels and the pro-government militia in February 2003.