European Union Ambassadors conclude a visit to North Darfur
European Union Ambassadors conclude a visit to North Darfur
22 October 2012
Ambassadors of the European Union concluded a two day visit to North Darfur. The purpose of the visit was to be briefed about the security situation and the progress in the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD). The delegation of the European Union was composed of Ambassadors from 6 European countries including Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Netherlands, Sweden, and the European Union Ambassador to Sudan.
During the visit the Ambassadors were briefed by the Deputy Governor of the State of North Darfur Mr. Al Fateh Abdel Aziz, about the economic plan of North Darfur State 2012 – 2016 and the development wheel in the Darfur region. The Deputy Governor has welcomed the European Union support to Darfur in the areas of shelter, food and health and requested the shifting of aid from humanitarian to development to cover the areas of infrastructure. The Ambassadors of the European Union stressed the importance of progress in the security situation and access to allow more foreign aid to flow in. The Government of North Darfur has briefed the visiting delegation about the general improvement of situation in Darfur including the success of the agricultural season and increase of administrative services to cover all North Darfur.
The European Ambassadors continued their meetings at the African Union/UN Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and were briefed on the political, security and human rights situation in Darfur. The UNAMID briefed the visiting delegation about the different projects implemented by the mission and the challenges that are facing their work on the ground.
Later, the European Ambassadors attended a workshop organized by UNAMID for Darfuri Nomads. The European Ambassadors described the meetings as informative and very useful.
The European Ambassadors concluded their meetings by visiting the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) and met with the ministers related to the development files led by Mr. Taj Al Deen Niam Minister of Development and Amna Haroun the Minister of Finance. The Ambassadors were briefed on the level of progress and implementation of the DDPD and the efforts exerted to implement the Donors meeting. European Union Ambassador Tomas Ulicny stated to the press the European Union’s support to the DDPD and called for the non signatories to join the agreement. The European Ambassadors stressed that the biggest guarantee to peace is reflecting its impact at the ground.
Also, the European Ambassadors conducted a number of field visits to European and other United Nations agencies funded projects in Al Shagara and Abu Shouk IDP camps. The Ambassadors attended the distribution of humanitarian assistance and has met with a group of displaced people to learn about their demands and living conditions. The European Ambassadors enjoyed a selection of Darfuri dishes cooked by the Darfuri women benefiting from the development projects. The European Ambassadors thanked the Darfuri Women for their generosity, warm welcome and wished them peace and stability.
The visit was ended by a tour inside the premises of Al Sultan Ali Dinar Museum were the European Ambassadors attended a briefing and explanation on Darfur’s rich history, customs and traditions. The European Ambassadors expressed their admiration to the diversity and richness of the Sudanese culture.
Ambassador Tomas Ulincy, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Sudan said that the visit was important for all the European Ambassadors to see the situation on the ground. He added that the security situation and access to international organizations to work in Darfur remains a concern hoping that the DDPD signed in Doha would bring peace and stability to Darfur. He commented that the peak of the trip was the meeting of the Ambassadors with the Darfuri nomads and IDPs who expressed their need to lasting peace and sustainable development which requires collective local and international efforts to end crisis in Darfur. The European Ambassador said that the UNAMID and other UN Agencies are trying to do their best to help the Darfuri people, more security, more access and better funding will facilitate their job to do more for Darfur.