UNAMID’s exit strategy team to resume its meetings on Monday
April 17, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s foreign ministry Sunday said the tripartite committee tasked with developing an exit strategy for the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) would meet in Khartoum on Monday.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Ali al-Sadiq told the official news agency (SUNA) that the government side participating in the team held several meetings in preparation for the tripartite committee’s meetings.
He pointed that the team had concluded last year an agreement calling for the withdrawal of UNAMID’s troops from areas in west and central Darfur, saying however that some circles hostile to Sudan at the UN refused to endorse the deal.
According to al-Sadiq, the tripartite team would resume its work from where it has ended last year, saying it is tasked with developing a clear roadmap to secure a peaceful and agreed upon exit for the mission.
It is noteworthy that the UN linked the full withdrawal of the peacekeeping operation from Darfur region with signing of a ceasefire agreement within a peace agreement where the protection of civilians can be ensured.
The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in the western Sudan’s region.
It is the world’s second largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops.
UN agencies say there are nearly 2.5 million displaced persons in Darfur, despite the signing of peace agreement in Doha in July 2011.
(ST)