UNAMID PR / 19-2011 

AU Commission Chairperson visits Darfur

El Fasher, 06 June 2011 – The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mr. Jean Ping, led a nine-person delegation today to El Fasher, North Darfur, where he was welcomed by Deputy Joint Special Representative Mohamed B. Yonis and leadership of the AU-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

Jean Ping, between DJSR Mohammed Yonnis (right) and the UNAMID Force Commander. Photo by Sgt. Jallow Kebba.

“We have to try to resolve problems together,” said Mr. Ping, whose visit to the Sudan is aimed at enhancing relations between the Union and the Sudanese Government. He was accompanied by Ambassador Mahmoud Kane, head of the AU Liaison Office in Sudan.

The Chairperson praised UNAMID’s role in and support for the recent All Darfur Stakeholders’ Conference in Qatar. “After receiving good news from Doha, we hope that the situation in Darfur will be improved,” he said. He also pointed out that it is encouraging to see internally displaced persons going back to their villages and he stressed the need for more recovery and development activities.

The Chairperson was later received by the Wali (Governor) of North Darfur with whom he discussed developments in the Darfur conflict and increased collaboration between state authorities and the Mission in providing timely assistance to those most affected by the instability.

Mr. Ping’s arrival in Darfur is part of a three-day mission to the Sudan, where he also plans to meet with officials in Khartoum and Juba. This is his second trip to the region, having visited previously in 2008.