AU Peace Commissioner in Khartoum for talks on Darfur force

Nov 8, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Said Djinnit who is leading a delegation that includes the newly appointed Chairman of the DDDC Preparatory Committee Mr. Abdul Mohammad arrived in Khartoum this morning for a working visit. He was received by the Acting Head of Mission Madam Monique Mukaruliza and senior officials of AMIS Headquarters as well as Ambassador Awad Mursi Taha Head of the African Union Department at the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his statement to the press following his arrival, Ambassador Djinnit, said that his visit to Sudan comes within the context of strengthening the African Union efforts for peace in Darfur as stressed by the AU Peace and Security Council at its meeting held in New York on 20 September 2006, in addition to intensifying efforts for the rapid and steady implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), and coordination of various initiatives aimed at boosting the Agreement. During his visit, Ambassador Djinnit will assess difficulties faced by AMIS in order to create conducive climate enabling it to effectively implement its tasks.

The Commissioner will also conduct a series of consultations and discussions with a number of Government officials, those of AMIS in Khartoum and El Fasher, in addition to the Acting UN SRSG. Likewise he is scheduled to meet with representatives from the African Diplomatic Corps accredited to Sudan and representatives of the International Partners. Ambassador Said Djinnit will seize this opportunity to launch the Preparatory Committee of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation, and to convene an informal meeting of the Darfur Assessment and Evaluation Committee.

It is to be recalled that the DDDC Preparatory Committee as provided for in the DPA is charged with, among other things, conducting an extensive consultation among a wide range of Darfurian stakeholders in appropriate phases and is to be chaired by a representative of the African Union and consists of representatives of the GoS, SLM/A and the JEM, representatives of the Civil Society Organizations and tribal leaders, and of the AU, the UN, EU and the League of Arab States.

Commissioner Djinnit will travel to El Fasher on Friday on a one-day working visit where he is expected to call on the Wali of North Darfur State and later meet with the Senior Assistant to the President Mr. Minni Minawi before meeting with AMIS Officials at the Forward Headquarters. He will conclude his program with a press conference at AMIS headquarters on Friday afternoon.