27 June 2011 - UNAMID Communications and Public Information Division (CPID) on 26 June 2011 signed an agreement with the National Public Radio Corporation (NPRC) for the broadcast of UNAMID Radio programmes on Al Salaam Radio and Darfur state radio stations. This is an interim arrangement whilst the Government of the Sudan reviews the Mission’s application for a radio broadcasting license, in conformity with the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed between the Mission and the Government of the Sudan.

According to this interim arrangement, UNAMID Radio will broadcast for two hours daily, on Al Salaam Radio, with repeat broadcasts at appropriate times on Darfur state radio stations, starting on 03 July 2011.

“We would like to express our satisfaction at finally reaching an agreement with UNAMID on the issue of radio. We look forward to working with UNAMID in promoting peace, through radio, to the people of Darfur,” noted the Director General of the NPRC, Mr. Mutasim Fadl Abdelgadir at the signing ceremony held at the NPRC Headquarters in Omdurman.

The Director of the Communications and Public Information Division, Kemal Saiki, who led the UNAMID delegation to the signing ceremony, remarked that the lengthy and sometimes difficult discussions between the two parties bear testimony to “the important role radio has in bringing peace and development to the people of Darfur.” Mr. Saiki added that “the agreement marks the beginning of a fruitful relationship between UNAMID Radio and NPRC, one that will also witness a cross-pollination of talents from both sides.”


 

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