UNAMID hands sub-camp to West Darfur university
August 13, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) handed over a sub-camp to the University of Geneina in West Darfur and decided to move its activities to its main base in the state capital.
“By handing over these facilities, UNAMID is not abandoning West Darfur but has merely moved its operations from this location to its main base at El Geneina Super Camp, from where it shall continue to carry its mandate as before,” Malik said according to UNAMID statement.
The facilities of two blocks, built in 2008 on an area of 98000 sq. meters, were allocated to UNAMID by the Sudanese government and served as a base for their operations in West Darfur.
The governor thanked UNAMID and commended the cooperation the two sides and the local community.
“UNAMID has remarkably supported the community in West Darfur over the past years,” he said.
The Chancellor of Geneina University El-Tayeb Ali Ahmed also thanked UNAMID for the initiative and stated that they had plans to start using the sub camp immediately.
Sudan called for UNAMID withdrawal from Darfur following a dispute over alleged mass rape in the village of Tabit in North Darfur, by army troops in October last year.
A tripartite working group comprised of officials from the Sudanese government, UN and AU was formed to draft an exit strategy for the peacekeeping force.
Last June however, the United Nations Security Council extended for 12 months the mandate of UNAMID and tied the exit strategy to the progress in the security and humanitarian situation.
(ST)