UNAMID chief holds talks with Sudanese delegation to Darfur process

February 8, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – Ibrahim Gambari, head of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur UNAMID, held talks on the peace process on Monday evening with Sudanese government delegation in Doha.

The new chief of the joint peacekeeping mission arrived Monday to Doha, to provide his support to the ongoing peace process.

Delegations from Sudanese government and three rebel groups are tin the Qatari capital since the end of January in a serious bid by the mediation to launch comprehensive peace negotiations since the failure of direct talks between the government and JEM rebels last year.

Upon his arrival, Gambari met with the government delegation to discuss the ongoing efforts to end conflict in Darfur, said Nourredine Mezni from Doha. He further said he is expected to meet on Tuesday with Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé, the Qatari officials, as well as the representatives of rebel movements who are already in Doha.

“Sudanese-Chadian relations will be discussed, as well as the region’s security and political
situations in the face of the upcoming general elections,” Nourredine stressed.

With nearing 80% of its full strength, Mr. Gambari has indicated that UNAMID’s focus lay in supporting the Darfur peace process and in helping to secure stability by enhancing the security of civilians and internally displaced people in the region.

The new head of hybrid mission says there is no peace in Darfur and the UNAMID has to contribute to the ongoing efforts to end the conflict

(ST)