ADDIS ABABA, 10 May 2010 – The African Union, United Nations, Government of the Sudan Tripartite Mechanism on UNAMID today held its eighth meeting at the headquarters of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy, and the Sudanese Ministry of Defense’s Director of International Cooperation Lt Gen Magzoub Rahma Al Badawi led their respective delegations. UNAMID was represented by Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari, taking part for the first time, and Deputy JSR Mohamed Yonis.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Lamamra congratulated UNAMID for its resolve in carrying out its mandate “despite the associated risks and dangers to its peacekeepers to reduce the human suffering of the Darfurians.”

The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the region’s security situation and UNAMID’s current deployment, now at 88% and 74% of its authorized military and police strength, respectively. JSR Gambari outlined the Mission’s priorities as it shifts focus from deployment to employment. These priorities include enhancing the security of civilians and internally displaced people in Darfur; providing more proactive support to the ongoing peace process; promoting early recovery and development in the region; and, assisting in the normalization of relations between Chad and the Sudan.

For his part, Lt Gen Rahma Al Badawi stated that “UNAMID is ours, too” and assured the participants of the Sudanese Government’s continued support to the Mission in fulfilling its tasks.

“This Mechanism will now focus its attention on addressing and resolving issues that impact on the operational effectiveness of the Mission,” said USG le Roy, stressing the importance of the continued collaboration of all parties.

It was also decided that the Tripartite Mechanism will meet on a monthly basis at the operational level in El Fasher and Khartoum, with meetings at a strategic level held every three months. The next meeting at a strategic level is planned to take place in New York in September 2010.