Sudan welcomes withdrawal of South African troops from Darfur
February 25, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan Thursday has welcomed the decision of South African President Jacob Zuma to withdraw troops from the African Union United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
The decision comes as Sudan has engaged take with the African Union and the United Nations to reach an exit strategy from the western Sudan region.
In a statement issued in Khartoum Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour, welcomed Zuma’s decision and he thanked the South African people and president for the role played by their troops in Darfur during the past seven years.
Foreign Minister Professor Ibrahim Ghandour step welcomed South Africa to withdraw its forces of the UNAMID in Darfur and thanked and thanked the Government of Sudan to the Government and people of South Africa and President Jacob Zuma for their South African armed forces in Darfur
“This decision comes in the framework of the ongoing consultations between the United Nations, African Union and the Sudanese government on the UNAMID exit strategy as Darfur has witnessed security and peace and now heading to an administrative referendum,” said the statement.
The tripartite mechanism tasked with developing an exit strategy for Darfur hybrid peacekeeping mission will hold a meeting next March in New York.
However, the UN said the government has to sign a cessation of hostilities with rebel groups and hold inclusive peace process before to continue discussions on the phased draw-down of UNAMID.
But Khartoum insists that the region is safe and peaceful after defeating rebel groups and curbing tribal clashes.
(ST)