Information Note

UNAMID JSR Chairs Third Retreat with Special Envoys for the Sudan

Nyala, South Darfur, 18 February 2011 –  Joint Special Representative of the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, today chaired the Mission’s third retreat with Special Envoys to Sudan, in Nyala, South Darfur.

The summit brought together over 20 Special Envoys from UN Member States, including countries sitting on the Security Council, and representatives from the European Union and the African Union. Also present was the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), chief of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan, Mr. Haile Menkerios.

Welcoming the support of the delegates, Mr. Gambari said, “Your presence here is indeed testimony to your countries’ and institutions’ long standing commitment to the people of Darfur in their time of need. Recent positive developments in Darfur and in the Doha negotiations lead me to conclude that we are closer now to the goal of our quest for durable peace and stability.”

The retreat provided a forum for focused discussions on the latest developments in the region and on ways to increase and improve international support for peace efforts and the Darfur political process.

Invited to attend the opening session, the Wali (Governor) of South Darfur, Mr. Abdul Hamid Musa Kasha, pledged his commitment to cooperating with UNAMID and international humanitarian groups in protecting civilians and delivering aid to those affected by the conflict.

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

Mayada Umbadda, Media Relations; umbadda@un.org; mobile: +249 (0) 91 250 1966