01 April 2010 - The newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador to Sudan, Mr. Akinori Wada, today visited UNAMID headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur, as part of a two-day tour of the region. He met with the Mission’s Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR) Mohamed Yonis who briefed him on the security situation.

The meeting was attended by the Mission’s Director of Communications and Public Information Kemal Saïki, Director of Political Affairs Abiodun Bashua, and Acting Chief of Staff Miguel Martin.

At the top of the agenda were the current security and political situation ahead of the upcoming elections. The Ambassador noted that Japan would be sending a group of electoral observers to the Sudan.

DJSR Yonis took the opportunity to express the Mission’s gratitude to Mr. Wada for his country’s “continued support to UNAMID and its many financial contributions to humanitarian aid agencies in Darfur towards helping to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.”

The Japanese diplomat is expected to call on UNAMID’s Force Commander tomorrow and to also meet with the head of the UN Country Team Leader in North Darfur.

Japan has contributed a total of 40 million USD to the UN and other international organizations … through humanitarian assistance throughout the Sudan.