JSR Gambari thanked Mr. Hamid for his government’s cooperation with UNAMID and emphasized the crucial need to rapidly resolve the situation in Kalma to ensure the welfare and safety of the civilians in and around the settlement. Professor Gambari called for the creation of a climate of cooperation and dialogue between the two parties in order to protect the civilian population, enable humanitarian assistance, recognize the Mission’s mandate and respect the sovereignty of the Sudanese government.

Regarding the six individuals who sought refuge at UNAMID’s local Community Policing Center, the JSR stressed that, in line with UNAMID’s mandate, the Mission was obliged to ensure that due process and the protection of the rights of individuals are ensured at all times.

Minister Hamid in turn, promised that his government would work closely with the Mission to arrive at a peaceful resolution to the situation, adding that security in Darfur was a priority to both parties. The Minister stated that the camp has been a major security concern for many years, recalling the high crime rate including unsolved murders, a number of attacks on authorities and the April 2008 downing of a UNAMID contractor’s helicopter by an armed movement.

The Minister offered reassurances of his Government’s readiness to work closely with UNAMID in order to resolve the situation, stressing that security in Darfur is a top of the Government and UNAMID

In separate talks in Khartoum, Mr. Gambari briefed AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping and heads of the five permanent members of the Secuity Council on the Mission's efforts to reach an amicable solution to the problems in the camp.

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