Sudan says cooperating with UNAMID in South Darfur town
February 15, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese government reiterated today that the armed forces and the former rebels in South Darfur are working hand to hand with the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Muhageriya following the withdrawal of the rebels.
Mutrif Siddig, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Sunday held a follow-up meeting with the head of the hybrid mission, Rodolphe Adada related to the deployment of UNAMID troops and coordination between the two parties.
Mutrif said that the Sudan Armed Forces are working in full coordination with the peacekeepers and Minnawi fighters to improve the region’s security situation and to provide protection to all citizens without exception.
JEM troops took the control of Muhageriya after fighting with Minnawi forces on January 15, but under the pressure of the international community particularly the US, UN and the African Union, the rebels evacuated the town as the army had intensified air strikes and surrounded the rebel positions.
Adada told reporters following the meeting of the bilateral mechanism that the meeting was fruitful adding they discussed a number of issues related to the deployment of the hybrid operation. Ali Sadiq the spokesperson for foreign ministry added that they dealt with technical issues such as airports, railways and the granting of visas.
With regard to the status of the UNAMID troops in the event of an arrest warrant against the Sudanese president by the International Criminal Court, Adada stressed that the mandate of the hybrid forces is clearly indicated in the UN resolution 1769 and it is not linked to the court which is an independent body. He underscored government assurances that UNAMID would not be affected by the expected decision.
He also said that during a visit he paid last week to Muhageria he told the civilians there that UNAMID will stay in Darfur in order to carry out its mission and to protect them.
Adada went further to say that the mission had made some change on the ground, particularly with regard to the economy of the country and support the national operators, indicating that the mission so far spent 280 million dollars to carry out its tasks in Darfur.
The head of UNAMID visited Muhageriya, on February 8, to inspect the conditions on the ground following more than two weeks of clashes that resulted in many casualties and the displacement of thousands of civilians.
(ST)