The Norwegian Minister of International Development visits AMIS

Nov 15, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The Norwegian Minister of International Development H.E Mr. Erik Solheim paid a courtesy call today to the African Union Mission (AMIS) Headquarters in the Sudan in Khartoum. He was received by the Acting Head of Mission Mr. Abdourahman Ahmed Ibrahim, in the absence of Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, the Special Representative of the AU Chairperson Commission who is currently in an official mission in Addis Ababa.

The Norwegian Minister was accompanied by a delegation including Ambassador Tom Vraalsen, the Norwegian Special Envoy for Sudan.

The Acting Head of Mission commended the commitment of Norway to peace in Africa in general and in the Sudan in particular. He expressed the AU’s appreciation for the support of the Government of Norway to AMIS operations notably in the construction of Police stations for the Civipol in Darfur.

The Acting Head of Mission exchanged views with the Norwegian delegation on the new political developments in Darfur, in particular those related to the resumption of the inter-Sudanese Talks in Abuja, stated for 21 November 2005.

The visiting delegation was also briefed by AMIS military advisor on the tasks of the AU troops in Darfur, as well as the current security situation in the area of AMIS responsibility.

The Norwegian Minister of International Development took the opportunity to reiterate the support of his Government to AMIS. He praised the AU for the speed at which it was able to deploy such a large number of troops, given the challenges that it faced, referring to the success of the AMIS in deploying 6803 troops out of the targeted of 7731 in a record time.