UN envoy pledge for close coordination with the African Union
Jan 12, 2007 (AL-FASHER) — UN special envoy to Darfur said he would work hands to hands with the African Union to put an end to the conflict that has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced at least 2.5 million others since 2003.
UN Secretary General Special Envoy for Darfur, Jan Eliasson, said that the UN’s strategy to end the conflict in Darfur in the coming period is based on coordination of efforts and stances with the African Union, the state-media SUNA reported.
The UN Special Envoy affirmed that he is to embark on joint efforts with the African Union Chief in Darfur talks, Salim Ahmed Salim. The UN official made this statement when he met on Friday in Al-Fasher with the Government of North Darfur State.
Eliasson visited the war-torn region today for talks as part of UN efforts to find a lasting solution to Darfur crisis. He pointed out that his visit to Darfur aims at identifying the roots and real causes of the conflict in order to consider them in any political solution toward the stability of the region.
The UN’s top official said he contacted the leaders of the movements that have not signed Abuja Peace Agreement out side Sudan in the few previous days, affirming continuity of his efforts in collaboration with the neighboring countries.
Eliasson stressed the necessity of reducing breaches to the ceasefire agreement in order to pave the way for political dialogue. He acknowledged the difficulty to bring together the signatories and non-signatories of the agreement in one forum.
Eliasson said yesterday that his talks with Mr. el-Bashir were fruitful and positive, and they discussed the deployment of a planned hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping force in Darfur.
The force is the final phase in a three-phase plan to augment and replace the existing and under-staffed AU monitoring mission, known as AMIS. The hybrid force is expected to comprise about 17,000 troops and 3,000 police officers.
A former General Assembly president and Swedish foreign minister, Mr. Eliasson was appointed last month to re-energize diplomatic efforts for a non-military solution based on the DPA, signed last May by the Government and only some of the many rebel groups it has been fighting in Darfur.
(ST)