Information Note

UNAMID receives Sudanese delegation led by Ghazi Salaheddin 

El Fasher, 8 February 2011 –  The Presidential Adviser and head of the Government of the Sudan’s dossier on Darfur, Dr. Ghazi Salaheddin, today led a high-level delegation to meet with UNAMID leadership at the Mission’s headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur.

UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari welcomed the delegation, which included the governors of Darfur’s three states and representatives from a number of federal ministries. After a briefing on the Mission’s activities, achievements and challenges, the delegates discussed ways to increase cooperation between UNAMID and the government.

Doctor Ghazi (right) is received by JSR Ibrahim Gambari. Photo by Albert González Farran / UNAMID

JSR Gambari also expressed the Mission’s congratulations to the Sudanese government for the successful and safe conduct of the South Sudan referendum. “We want to seize the momentum and the opportunity to improve the situation in Darfur, so that the people can be able to return to their lives in peace and security and enjoy the benefits of early recovery, reconstruction and development,” he said.

Dr. Salaheddin praised UNAMID’s efforts to ensure the protection of civilians and help create an atmosphere conducive to peaceful negotiations. “We realize that you have been entrusted with a challenging and noble mission that we know you will uphold till the very end,” he said. “UNAMID is here to help us. Your success is our success. Your failure is our failure. We will continue to renew our commitment to collaborating with UNAMID in facilitating the path toward sustainable peace and development.”

Earlier this month in Addis Ababa, at the most recent meeting of the Government of the Sudan, AU, and UN Tripartite Mechanism, all parties agreed to the formation of a working group dedicated to addressing matters related to access to affected areas and restrictions in the movement of UNAMID and humanitarian workers.