US envoy, UNAMID leadership discuss troops deployment

September 14, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The visiting US special envoy to Sudan discussed today with the leadership of Darfur peacekeeping force security situation in the restive region and troops deployment.

United States Special Envoy, Scott Gration, on Sunday met Deputy Joint Special Representative for Operations and Management, Mohamed Yonis, and Force Commander, Lieutenant General Patrick Nyamvumba, at UNAMID’s El Fasher headquarters.

They discussed the status of the Mission’s deployment of personnel and equipment, as well as on its operations and community based activities, including sensitization on gender based violence, among others.

UNAMID is expecting to reach 97 per cent of its deployment numbers by the end of this year. United Nations Security Council resolution 1769 (2007) authorized the deployment of 19,555; troops, 1845 police, 1115 Formed Police Units, 1109 international staff from more than 100 countries, 2255 national staff and 335 UN Volunteers.

The meeting also raised issues regarding the peace process and the situation between Chad and Sudan.

Meanwhile, UNAMID informed the Special Envoy that members of a number of Darfur civil society organizations had expressed their willingness to be involved in the peace process as was evident through their increased support and participation in related activities.

(ST)