Meeting between the African Union and the United Nations on Darfur

– Press Release No: .021/06
– Date: 13/04/2006

1. On 12 and 13 April 2006, teams from the African Union Commission and the United Nations Secretariat met in Addis Ababa, to discuss the implementation of the AU Peace and Security Council communiqué of 10 March 2006, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1663 (2006) of 24 March, pertaining to the envisaged transition to a United Nations operation in Darfur.

2. The two teams agreed to work together to expedite planning for the envisaged transition to a United Nations operation in Darfur and, in the meantime, to strengthen the AU Mission in Sudan. They also agreed to establish mechanisms for coordination and joint planning, in consultation with the Government of Sudan and other parties concerned.

3. The AU delegation was led by Commissioner for Peace and Security, Said Djinnit, and included the Head of AMIS, Baba Gana Kingibe, as well as senior staff from the Peace and Security Department and the Darfur Integrated Task Force. The United Nations team was led by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hédi Annabi, and included Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Taye Zerihoun, as well as staff from DPKO and UNMIS.