July 24, 2008 (EL-FASHER) – The Sudanese president, who was in North Dafur during a two day tour in the troubled region, has pledged to provide security to the hybrid peacekeeping force.
- Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir shakes hands with UNAMID officials during a visit to the mission’s headquarters in El Fasher, 23 July, 2008 (Reuters)
On Wednesday, Omer al-Bashir visited the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Mission (UNAMID) headquarters where he met with the Joint Special Representative, Rodolphe Adada, and senior staff of the mission.
Al-Bashir expressed his condolences to UNAMID over the death of seven peacekeepers who were killed in an ambush earlier this month in North Darfur and barely two weeks later, another was shot dead in West Darfur.
He also reiterated Sudan’s resolve to provide security for UNAMID staff and convoys. "You are our guests and our partners," he said, "and we are ready to provide any assistance that will help you do your work."
Adada spoke about the difficulties facing the deployment of the hybrid mission troops, however he said they determined to bring UNAMID up to its full capacity as soon as possible.
During a meeting with the Arab League Chief, Amro Musa on July 21, Adada said that Ethiopian and Egyptian battalions are expected by the end of the month. The United Nations and African Union aim to have some 26,000 peacekeepers in Darfur, but only 9,000 are on the ground.
Earlier last June, the Nigerian Gen. Martin Agwai said that within three or four months, he expected the force to grow to 13,000 with the Egyptian, Ethiopian, Thai and Nepalese troops. He expressed optimism the force could reach its goal of 80 percent of the full deployment by the end of the year.
But the mission still lacks five critical capabilities to become operational: attack helicopters, surveillance aircraft, transport helicopters, military engineers and logistical support.
Further, Adada told al-Bashir that UNAMID has thousands of containers awaiting "movement along the difficult and sometimes dangerous routes into Darfur,” and called on the Government of Sudan to assist and ensure that the convoys reach their destinations safely.
(ST)
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