AU, UN voice concern over impact of violence on Darfur recovery
September 30, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – African and international officials expressed concern over violence in Darfur and its impact on the implementation of recovery and development plans, said the joint peacekeeping mission (UNAMID).
Representatives of the Sudanese government, African Union and the United Union held last Saturday the 16th meeting of the Tripartite Coordination Mechanism on UNAMID in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly.
Sudanese foreign ministry undersecretary, Rahmatalla Mohamed Osman led the Sudanese delegation, while the African Union was represented by El-Ghassim Wane, Director for AU Peace and Security Council; and the UN by Hervé Ladsous, Under Secretary General for the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Also head of UNAMID and joint mediator Mohamed Ibn Chambas, took part in the meeting.
The AU and UN officials “expressed concern about the increased levels of insecurity affecting some parts of Darfur and their impact on the commencement of early recovery and development of the region”, said a statement released on Monday.
They also “underscored the importance of facilitating unfettered access and freedom of movement for UNAMID to execute its mandate and urged the Government of Sudan to facilitate the timely issuance of visas for personnel required for the Mission”.
Tribal clashes in Darfur region since the start of this year forced over 300.000 people to flee their areas.
Following a meeting with East Darfur governor Abdel Hamid Kasha on Monday, the chairman of Darfur Regional Authority Tijani El-Sissi called to provide the state government with the necessary logistical and military means to end to the recurring clashes between Maalia and Rezeigat tribes.
The meeting further admitted that “the Darfur Development Strategy was a solid framework through which the Government of Sudan could address the root causes of conflict, promote stability and generate much-needed support for the peace process”.
The delegations agreed to explore ways on how best UNAMID could contribute to implement early recovery and development programmes endorsed during the Doha donor conference last April.
The next meeting of the tripartite mechanism will be held next January in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the African Union annual summit.
(ST)