UN peacekeeping chief visits Sudan

October 6, 2008 (EL FASHER) — The newly appointed head of the United Nations Department for peacekeeping Operations arrived in Khartoum today, on his first visit to Sudan since he assumed his post.

During his seven-day visit to Sudan, Alain will tour the two peacekeeping operations in the southern and western Sudan. The 10000 troops of the UNMIS started their mission after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 while the UNAMID operates in Darfur to support the implementation of a Darfur Peace Agreement signed between Khartoum and one rebel group.

Le Roy met today with the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Ashraf Qazi, and other senior officials from UNMIS. He is scheduled to visit Kadugli, Abyei, Juba and El Obeid, and meet with leadership of the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan and other key interlocutors.

Le Roy will visit the headquarters of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in El Fasher, North Darfur, on Wednesday 08 October, “as the first leg of a visit that will also take him to Nyala in South Darfur and El Geneina in West Darfur.”

He will hold discussions on the U.N. biggest peacekeeping operation with the head of the UNAMID, Rodolphe Adada and senior officials, the Governors of the three Darfur states and the Minni Minawi who leads a former rebel faction that signed a peace agreement with the Sudanese government.

During his tour, Le Roy will be visiting UNAMID battalions and team sites, several camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), UN Agencies, Programs and Funds.

Alain Le Roy was appointed by the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon on 30 June 2008. He replaces Jean-Marie Guéhenno, who worked at the head of this department since October 2000. Both are French nationals.

(ST)