AUPSC delegation to assess security and humanitarian situation in Darfur

August 15, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – A delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) will visit Khartoum on Wednesday, said Sudan’s deputy permanent representative to the AU, Hamza Omer.

He stressed the delegation would visit Darfur to assess the security and humanitarian situation in the region, pointing the visit comes at the invitation of the Sudanese government and would last for three days.

In a meeting held on 31 July, The AUPSC decided to hold a field visit to Darfur to assess the situation on the ground in order to make the appropriate decisions to enhance the security and humanitarian situation and promote reconciliation and dialogue efforts in the restive region.

The delegation would discuss with government officials several joint issues pertaining to the exit strategy of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Ali al-Sadig, said the delegation comprised of 20 members would discuss the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur besides cooperation between the AU and the government in developing UNAMID’s exit strategy.

In a statement issued following its latest meeting, the AUPSC expressed concern over the continuation of the armed conflict in Darfur, saying it doesn’t only undermine peace in Sudan but also in the neighbouring countries.

It emphasized the need to renew commitment by all parties to facilitate the political process, expressing concern over the humanitarian situation in Darfur and calling upon all parties to allow aid group to access needy population in the region.

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.

The mission has been deployed in Darfur since 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in the restive region.

It is the world’s second largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops

(ST)