14 July 2009 -- United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations (USG/DPKO), Mr. Alain Le Roy, today continued his trip in El Geneina, West Darfur, close to Sudan's common border with Chad.

Under-Secretary-General Le Roy held a comprehensive meeting with the Wali (Governor) of West Darfur State, Mr. Abu Ghassim, during which several issues of mutual interest, including security, were discussed. Mr. Ghassim informed Mr. Le Roy that the proliferation of arms was a major concern in the area. However, he gave the assurance that bearing in mind West Darfur's proximity to the border, the authorities were intent on curbing this trend.

During a visit to Saraf Jedad, where 2,100 internally displaced families recently returned voluntarily, Mr. Le Roy noted that it was apparent life in the village was returning to normal as evidenced by ongoing farming activities being undertaken by the returnees. He met the village Umdah (traditional leader) and representatives of elders, women and youth, among other community leaders, to listen to their concerns.

Meanwhile, he expressed satisfaction with UNAMID's quick impact projects (QIP) initiative, from which the returnees in Saraf Jedad had already begun to benefit. He commended the ongoing collaborative efforts on that front between humanitarian agencies based in the area, the local community and the African Union/United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Presenting initial funding from the QIP initiative on behalf of UNAMID to assist in rehabilitating a school in the village, the USG/DPKO said he hoped work on the project would commence shortly.

Mr. Le Roy also used the opportunity to meet UNAMID staff members based in the area. He was accompanied by UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Mr. Rodolphe Adada, UNAMID Deputy Force Commander, Major General Duma Mdutyana, Commander of UNAMID troops in West Darfur, Brigadier General Balla Keita, West Darfur UN Police Commander, Kalia Sesay, and a number of other UNAMID officials.

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