Discussions continue over UNAMID exit strategy

April 20, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Officials from Sudan, the African Union (AU), and United Nations have concluded a four-day meeting on a exit strategy for peacekeeping troops deployed in Sudan’s western region of Darfur.

Since last year the joint mission which was mainly tasked with the protection of civilians said the conflict dynamic has changed and decided to focus its activities on peace mediation, protection of civilians and humanitarian assistance and support to tribal conflict mediation.

In a short statement issued on Monday, the hybrid African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said the tripartite committee resumed their meetings on an exit strategy for the hybrid mission in Khartoum from 16 to 19 April.

“The meetings were conducted in a cooperative and professional way with full commitment from all sides,” further said the short statement.

The mission said discussions will continue in the second week of May 2015, but didn’t develop on the works of the tripartite committee.

Since nearly six months the UNAMID is without a head of mission. Currently it is directed by Nigerian diplomat Abiodun Oluremi Bashua, who is the deputy joint special representative since September.

Former UNAMID chief Mohamed Ibn Chambas resigned from his position in the same month, following the launch of an internal investigation over allegations that the mission had been covering up crimes by Sudanese government militia against civilians in Darfur.

(ST)