New UNAMID chief to visit Sudan on Thursday

November 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government announced today that the incoming chief of the African Union-United Nations mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi will arrive in Khartoum on Thursday for the first time since his appointment.

Ali al-Sadiq, spokesman for the Sudanese foreign ministry, said that Uhomoibhi will meet during his one-day visit with the foreign minister, minister of defence and the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

He explained that the new head of UNAMID will introduce himself to government officials in order to facilitate interaction between the two parties.

Uhomoibhi will be accompanied by AU peace and security commissioner Ismail Chergui.

Sudan has stressed that the appointment of Uhomoibhi will not affect the ongoing arrangements for the UNAMID’s exit because he is aware of all the details of the exit strategy.

Khartoum asserts that the security situation in Darfur is now under control, and it is striving to end the tribal violence.

Sudanese officials also claim that the UNAMID staff members are seeking to draw a gloomy picture of the situation there in order to justify their presence and keep their high salaries and privileges.

(ST)