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UNAMID head visits Darfur to assess security and civilian needs

May 3, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The head of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, maintains that the best solution to the Darfur crisis is achieving lasting peace and stability in the war-torn region in western Sudan.

The joint special representative (JSR) made the comments while conducting a series of field visits across the five Darfur states to assess the security, humanitarian and political situation.

As part of the eight-day visit, Chambas met with representatives of internally displaced persons (IDPs), traditional leaders, state authorities and UNAMID staff.

“The best solution to the conflict in Darfur is to achieve a lasting peace, allowing conditions to normalise so that citizens can live without fear or intimidation,” said Chambas, who concluded his visit on Tuesday.

Chambas used the official visit to the Darfur states to reiterate the mission’s commitment to protect civilians caught up in the 10-year conflict.

On the first of his visits, the JSR met with leaders of the Shadad and Niyasha IDP camps in Shangil Tobaya, North Darfur to discuss matters related to protection and security, while on a separate visit to Kalma IDP camp in South Darfur, Chambas delivered similar reassurances to residents there.

“UNAMID and its humanitarian partners will continue to do their best in addressing the needs of the local community,” said Chambas in statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

At a meeting in East Darfur state with wali (governor) Abdulhamid Musa Kasha, the JSR expressed his gratitude for the cooperation shown to UNAMID and its UN country team partners in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Labado and Muhajeria, where recent clashes between the Sudanese government and a faction of the Sudan Liberation Army led by Minni Minawi (SLA-MM) has displaced several thousand inhabitants.

On a visit to the villages, the JSR assessed the situation on the ground and met with UNAMID personnel to express appreciation for their professional conduct in the protection of civilians throughout the crisis, particularly after the death of one peacekeeper and the injury of two others in an attack on the mission’s Muhajeria base.

During the first phase of the humanitarian assistance operation to the area last week, UNAMID says it delivered more than 80,000 kilograms of humanitarian aid to thousands of displaced civilians. The second phase of the operation got underway on 29 April.

During meetings with state authorities in East and South Darfur, the JSR also stressed the importance of ensuring continued access by UNAMID and other humanitarian organisations to enable the delivery of aid to IDPs concentrated around UNAMID bases in Muhajeria and Labado.

Meanwhile, in Zalingei, Central Darfur, the JSR met with leaders of the Hassa Hissa and Nertiti IDP camps to listen to their concerns. He also highlighted the benefits that both the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and the financial pledges made at the Darfur donors’ conference could bring in terms of achieving lasting peace and much-needed development in the restive region.

Chambas concluded his visit in in El Geneina, West Darfur, where he met with community leaders at the Mornei IDP camp. Home to 85,000 residents, the camp is the largest in the state.

He commended the residents of the camp for the cordial relations that exist between them and UNAMID personnel, pledging the mission’s continued commitment and dedication to work for the protection and welfare of the IDPs and the Darfurian civilian population.

The Darfur visit was Chambas’ first in his official capacity as UNAMID’s JSR, a post he assumed on the 1 April.

(ST)

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