El Daein, 21 November 2014 - The Acting Joint Special Representative (JSR) of the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and Joint Chief Mediator a.i., Abiodun Bashua, visited Nyala in South Darfur and El Daein in East Darfur from 18-20 November, as part of his regional tour to follow up on coordination and cooperation between the Mission and the states' authorities to achieve peace in Darfur.

In a meeting with the South Darfur Wali (Governor), Adam Mahmoud Jar Alnabi, on 18 November, they discussed the security situation, development programmes and voluntary return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original villages. Mr. Bashua urged the federal and local authorities to bring perpetrators who were involved in attacking and killing UNAMID peacekeepers to justice. He also called for unhindered movement of the Mission to all parts of Darfur. He commended the collaboration between the state, UN Country Team and UNAMID in South Darfur.

In El Daein, the Acting JSR met with the Wali of East Darfur, Altaib Abdulkarim Ahmed, and the Minister of Reconstruction and Infrastructure at Darfur Regional Authority, Tajedin Bashir Nyam. They discussed the ongoing activities of the Mission in the state and further support that UNAMID could provide in terms of capacity building, local mediation and reconciliation activities, especially for the forthcoming conference between the Ma’aliya and the Rezigat, expected to take place in December.

During his visit to East Darfur, Mr. Bashua visited Khor-Omer camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) where he met with representatives of the IDPs and the refugees from South Sudan living there and listened to their concerns. He promised to convey the requests raised to relevant UNCT agencies for follow up actions.

The Acting Head of UNAMID also met with native administration leaders who requested UNAMID to provide training opportunities geared toward advancing peace advocacy and logistics. Mr. Bashua reiterated that UNAMID is committed to support the restoration of the important role of the native administration within the limits of its resources. He later inaugurated the native administration building constructed under the UNAMID-funded quick-impact projects programme.