Darfur peace negotiator visits displaced camp, meets peacekeepers

June 11, 2009 (EL-FASHER) — Sudanese Presidential Adviser who is recently appointed as government top negotiator for Darfur peace talks, Dr. Ghazi Salah Eddin Attabani, today paid a visit to North Darfur state where he met with the IDPS and the peacekeeping mission.

Attabani who replaced Nafi Ali Nafi, visited on Thursday Abushouk camp for the internally displaced people near El Fasher where he inspected the humanitarian situation there and to listen to the IDPs in order to involve them in the ongoing efforts to end the six year conflict.

“We have come to send a message to all that we are interested in the Darfur issue,” Said the presidential adviser.

Also North Darfur state governor called on the IDPs to designate hundred representatives and to formulate their demands in order to present it to the government top negotiator in a meeting scheduled to take place this evening.

The peace talks sponsored by the Qatari government are currently between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement. The two parties signed a goodwill deal last February but are still negotiating its implementation.

The mediation intends to enlarge the talks to include more rebel groups.

Attabani who met the humanitarian community working in the state, also paid a visit to the UNAMID Headquarters in El Fasher. He was received upon arrival, by UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR), Mr. Rodolphe Adada, Deputy Joint Special Representative; Mr. Henry Anyidoho; and other Senior Officials.

The visiting Sudanese presidential adviser discussed with UNAMID officials issues related to the Darfur conflict, including the political process, humanitarian situation, security on the ground, as well as the general election process.

Attanbani reiterated the full support of the Sudanese government to UNAMID and stated that he was looking forward to strengthening cooperation between his Government and the Mission. He expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation between UNAMID and the Government of the Sudan.

Adada reaffirmed UNAMID commitment to work with the Government in order to find a lasting solution to the Darfur conflict. In this regard, he informed that UNAMID is ready to assist the people living in the IDP camps and who wish to return to their respective villages, through the Mission’s recovery and development projects and thanks to its provision of security.

The Sudanese official was accompanied by Government of Sudan senior officials, including the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Mr. Abdal Bagi Aljailani; Commissioner of Humanitarian Aid, Dr. Mohamed Abdel Rahman Hassabo.

(ST)