Appointment of new UNAMID head will not affect exit strategy: Sudan’s FM

November 1, 2105 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s foreign ministry has said the appointment of the new head for the hybrid peacekeeping operation in Darfur (UNAMID) will facilitate the exit strategy of the mission from the region.

The United Nations and African Union on Tuesday announced the appointment of Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi of Nigeria as Joint Special Representative for Darfur and UNAMID head. Also, they appointed Bintou Keita of Guinea as Deputy Joint Special Representative.

Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Ali al-Sadiq told reporters on Sunday the appointment of Uhomoibhi comes against the background of the meetings which were held recently between Sudan’s foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour and the UN officials in New York.

Al-Sadiq stressed that the appointment of Uhomoibhi wouldn’t affect the ongoing arrangements for the mission’s exit because he is aware of all the details of the exit strategy, noting he is also aware of the discussions which took place between Ghandour and the UN and AU officials on that strategy.

He added New York meetings underscored the need for the tripartite team comprised of Sudan, UN and the African Union (AU) to continue its work to assess the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur and develop UNAMID’s exit strategy from the region.

Also the Sudanese diplomat said no particular date has been set for the arrival of the UNAMID’s head to assume his duties in Darfur.

He further noted that the appointment of Uhomoibhi would enhance the work of the tripartite team.

The tripartite team is expected to resume talks this month on the UNAMID exit strategy that Khartoum demanded since nearly two years ago.

(ST)