El Fasher, Thursday, 7 February 2008 -- The United Nations-African Union Joint Special Representative (JSR) for Darfur, Mr. Rodolphe Adada has expressed his appreciation to the Government of the Netherlands for its political, financial and material support to the joint UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Accompanied by UNAMID Force Commander, General Martin Luther Agwai, Mr. Adada made the declaration while receiving the Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr. Bert Koenders, in Khartoum yesterday, 06 February 2008.

The JSR and the Force Commander briefed the Dutch delegation on the deployment of UNAMID, and reiterated the appeal by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to international partners to honour their pledges and provide helicopters for the Darfur peacekeeping Mission. The lack of helicopters and other heavy transport equipment, and delays in troop deployment have made it more difficult for the 9,000 peacekeepers on the ground to effectively implement the mandate of UNAMID, the JSR added.

In response, the Dutch Minister, who was accompanied by senior officials from his ministry, said he was hopeful that UNAMID will be able to fully deploy expeditiously, so that the Mission can provide the much needed support to the Darfur Peace Process. The Dutch delegation is on a four-day visit to Sudan.

UNAMID press release