21 July 2008 -- AU-UN Joint Special Representative for Darfur, Rodolphe Adada, met in Khartoum, today, with Arab League Secretary General, Amr Moussa, who briefed him on his consultations with President Al Bashir and top Sudanese officials regarding an Arab League initiative to resolve the current crisis, resulting from the ICC Prosecutor’s charges against the Sudanese President.

Mr. Moussa said that the Arab League needs to work closely with the African Union and the United Nations to protect the fragile peace process in Sudan.

The visit of the League of Arab States’ Secretary General to Sudan comes in the wake of an emergency meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers in Cairo, last week, on this issue.

Adada reassured Moussa that the AU-UN Joint Mission is determined to carry-out its operation in Darfur, despite recent attacks against its forces. He informed the Secretary General that the relocation of non-essential civilian staff has ceased and that field patrols, intended to offer protection to the civilian population, are ongoing.

Further to that, Adada provided an update on the status of deployment of the UNAMID troops, saying that the main body of the Chinese troops were deployed, last week, while additional Ethiopian and Egyptian battalions are expected by the end of the month. The new troops will strengthen the current forces and will help UNAMID address issues relating to the deteriorating security conditions and the protection of civilians.

During a stake-out with journalists, following the meeting, Adada reaffirmed the independence of the International Criminal Court and stressed that the mandate of UNAMID is totally separate from that of the ICC’s.

Adada also told reporters that the Mission is determined to lend all support possible to the new AU/UN Chief Mediator for Darfur, Djibril Yipènè Bassolé, who is expected to start his term of office on 1 August.

(UNAMID Press Release)