Sudan, UN hold talks on status of Darfur hybrid force

January 14, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) — Officials of the new United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the Government of Sudan began negotiations in Khartoum, on Monday to regulate deployment and operations of the force that is seeking to bring peace to the strife-torn Darfur region, a UN spokesperson said Monday.

The so-called Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) is among the unresolved issues that depend on the outcome of discussions with the Sudanese Government. Others include the final confirmation of the composition of the force, and clearance to function 24 hours a day.

Currently, UNAMID, which took over from an African Union (AU) mission on 31 December, has only 9,000 troops out of its mandated strength of 26,000, and it lacks essential logistics and equipment, including helicopters. Top UN officials have repeatedly called on Member States to speed up delivery of vital units and assets.

Meanwhile, a UNAMID supply convoy that was attacked by elements of the Sudanese army last week returned to its base at El Fasher in Western Darfur yesterday after bringing food and fuel to posts in Southern Darfur.

UNAMID Deputy Force Commander General Emmanuel Karenzi commended the 87-member strong convoy for successfully accomplishing their assignment despite the challenges.

The Security Council on Friday condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms” and voiced its readiness to act against any party impeding UNAMID’s deployment.

(ST)