15 November 2009 - In its seventh meeting scheduled to be held in Khartoum tomorrow, Monday 16 November, the Tripartite Mechanism on Darfur comprising officials from the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) and Sudanese Government, will discuss a number of issues relevant to the future of the AU-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

Among items on the agenda are the deployment of UNAMID – uniformed and civilian personnel, including Sudanese staff members – and the contribution of the Mission to assist in building capacity and infrastructure of Darfur institutions. The establishment of a UNAMID-run radio station is also on the cards for discussion.

The Tripartite Mechanism was established in 2008 to address issues relevant to the establishment of UNAMID and cooperation with the Government of Sudan.

Currently, more than 15,000 military troops are deployed in the Mission, representing some 76 per cent of the authorized deployment. Also, almost 2,850 police advisors represent more 75 per cent of the authorized strength and more than 1,800 policemen are based in 12 formed police units (FPUs). The authorized number of FPUs for UNAMID is nineteen.

The establishment of UNAMID was authorized by the UN Security Council in its resolution 1769 in July 2007. The Mission’s authorized strength for uniformed personnel -- both police and military -- of almost 26,000, as well as current budget of almost US$1.6 billion, makes it the largest ever peacekeeping operation.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org – tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020
Noureddine Mezni, Spokesperson; mezni@un.org – mobile: +249 (0) 92 562 9693 -+249 (0) 91 253 8420
Sharon McPherson, Media Relations, mcpherson1@un.org –mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0375 - +249 (0) 92 244 7941