UNAMID boss pledges strong support to Darfur peace process

February 12, 2010 (DOHA) — UNAMID’s Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari Thursday concluded a working visit to Qatar where he reiterated his readiness to come back when needed to support the ongoing efforts to reach a peaceful solution to Darfur conflict.

Gambari announced earlier this month that UNAMID’s efforts during this phase would be focused on supporting the peace process, and enhancing the security of civilians and internally displaced people in order to secure stability to the restive region.

During his four day visit to Doha Gambari held a series of consultations with negotiating teams from the Sudanese Government, the rebel movements and the Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé as well as the Qatari State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmad Abdullah Al-Mahmoud who is in charge with Darfur dossier.

The Qatari state minister, in a meeting held today, requested that UNAMID play an active role in ensuring that the genuine voices of the civil society are heard. The hybrid mission played an important role during the preparation for the civil society meeting held last November in Doha.

In response to Sudan Tribune question on JSR Gambari next step after concluding his consultations in Doha, Noureddine Mezni, UNAMID official spokesperson pointed out that UNAMID Chief has informed all his interlocutors in Doha that there will be a serious follow up from the Mission adding that he intends to come back as much as needed to Doha
to continue his efforts in support of the joint mediation.

Mezni also announced the convening of an important meeting of the
Special Envoys to Sudan of the five permanent members of the Security
Council and EU on 27 February in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, to discuss
Darfur peace process and ways and means to synchronize the
international efforts aiming at pushing forward this process.

In the same context, Mezni also indicated that Gambari will be soon visiting
Chad and the other neighbors of Sudan.

(ST)