El Fasher, 25 August 2009  --  Marking the end of his tenure in Darfur as the African Union - United Nations Joint Special Representative (JSR) in Darfur, Mr. Rudolphe Adada, made a farewell tour to South and West Darfur before the end of his tour of duty on 31 August 2009.

The JSR visited Nyala on 24 August 2009 and paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Wali (Governor) of South Darfur, Dr. Farah Mustafa who applauded the achievements of UNAMID during the JSR leadership, and commended the JSR’s qualities which made it possible for the establishment of UNAMID and overcoming the critical situation in Darfur.

The Deputy Wali said that the formation of UNAMID constituted a challenge to the African countries before and after the transfer of authority from AMIS to UNAMID. “The cooperation between the government of Sudan and UNAMID will continue until peace is attained in Darfur,” said Dr. Mustafa.

In his response, the JSR said that he came to bid farewell and to voice his gratitude to the state government for the assistance and the good relations and cooperation it had maintained with the Mission in South Darfur which made it a model sector. Mr. Adada said he was confident the state government would continue its cooperation with the mission.

Referring to the security situation in Darfur, the JSR referred to the decreased level of violence saying that UNAMID deployment has now reached at 75%. “As the deployment increases so does assistance to the people of Darfur. Long range patrols to assess the situation continue to increase in the country-side as well as in towns and cities,” He added that the mission is planning long range patrols in the rural areas and 24hrs presence in more IDP camps as well as conducting more night patrols to maintain security and protect civilians.

In his meeting with the UN Country Team (UNCT), the JSR said that the mission had managed to work with the team and to find ways to tackle humanitarian problems.

In West Darfur, the JSR stressed during his visit to El Geneina and Zalengei on Tuesday 25 August 2009 that UNAMID has to be fully used as a tool to bring about security, peace and development in Darfur.

In Zalengei, he made a courtesy visit to the Zalengei’s Commissioner, Colonel Yahya Hussein Ali and thanked him for his good working cooperation with UNAMID assuring him that Darfur would always remain in his heart. The Commissioner reiterated his locality’s continued commitment to different signed agreements, cooperation and support to UNAMID.

Mr. Adada met with El Geneina and Zalengei UNAMID and other UN staff members, thanking them for their relentless efforts to support peace, and urged them to consolidate their work for the betterment of Darfur and Sudan.”

In El Geneina, the JSR met with the Deputy Wali, Sanussi Bashar and other officials in the state and thanked them for their cooperation with UNAMID expressing hope that all parties would join efforts into finding lasting peace and stability in Darfur.