INFORMATION NOTE

UNAMID Chief visits East Jebel Marra

El Fasher, 18 March 2011 –  The Joint Special Representative (JSR) of the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Ibrahim Gambari, today led a field mission to Jawa and Fanga Suk in East Jebel Marra. The areas are the respective strongholds of the Sudanese Armed Forces and an alliance of armed movements comprised of the Liberation and Justice Movement and the Abdul Wahid and Minni Minnawi factions of the Sudanese Liberation Army.

JSR Ibrahim Gambari meeting the rebel forces leaders. Photo by Olivier Chassot.

The delegation included UNAMID Force Commander Lt Gen Patrick Nyamvumba, Head of the regional UNICEF office Ismail Olushola and top Mission officials.

Jawa lies 9km west of Deribat in South Darfur while Fanga Suk is in West Darfur, located 60 km southwest of Tawilla. Due to continued fighting in the strategic region and mountainous terrain, East Jebel Marra has long proven difficult to access for the majority of aid groups operating in Darfur. As a result, humanitarian relief is often out of reach to the thousands affected by the conflict.

JSR Gambari emphasized UNAMID’s neutrality in the Darfur conflict. He further urged both parties to provide full support to UNAMID patrols and activities in the East Jebel Marra area, as this would enhance the Mission’s protection to civilians, facilitating and securing humanitarian access.

Government forces posted in Jawa. Photo by Albert González Farran

“We want the fighting to stop, we want safe and free access for aid agencies to East Jebel Marra,” said Gambari. Both parties promised to support UNAMID and work toward the free movement of the Mission, UN Country Team and non-governmental organizations in the region.

JSR Gambari also met with community leaders at both Jawa and Fanga Suk, many displaced by the ongoing fighting, who shared grievances and pleaded for the urgent provision of water, food, health, education and other basic services. In Fanga Suk, residents also implored the JSR to redouble appeals on their behalf for the cessation of aerial strikes.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
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Chris Cycmanick, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations; cycmanick@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 253 8436

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