EL FASHER - UNAMID’s Joint Special Representative, Jeremiah Mamabolo, met with community leaders at Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in El Fasher, North Darfur this week to brief them on the planned closure of the Mission’s team site in the area.

During the 17 July visit, Mr. Mamabolo met with IDP representatives from Abu Shouk and Alsalam camps, including Omdas (tribal leaders), women and youth.

Community leaders from the two camps expressed appreciation for UNAMID’s support, particularly in terms of providing security and capacity-building training.

Mr. Mamabolo highlighted the Mission’s latest mandate, which the Security Council approved on 29 June.

According to Security Council Resolution 2363, UNAMID’s strategic priorities remain:  protection of civilians and facilitation of humanitarian access, while ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian personnel; continue to mediate between the Government of Sudan and non-signatory armed movements; and support mediation of inter-communal conflicts.

Mr. Mamabolo said that in response to significant developments that have taken place in Darfur and in Sudan in the past decade, the Mission is in the process of a comprehensive reconfiguration. Mission operations would be transformed into a two-pronged focus combining peacekeeping and peace building.

As a result, the number of military and police personnel would be reduced, and the Mission planned to close 11 UNAMID team sites, including the Abu Shouk team site.

Mr. Mamabolo noted that the Mission will continue to engage and provide necessary support to the population in the area.

Yahiya Mohamed, the chief Omda, thanked UNAMID for their cooperation and support to the residents of Abu Shouk and Alsalam camps.

“As IDPs we regret the decision of the United Nations to close the nearby team site, but we are hopeful that the site will remain in the hands of the community to use for meetings and other activities” said Mr. Mohamed. 

Hawa Yousef, a women’s representative from Abu Shouk camp, urged the Mission to continue its support to IDP communities through established centres in the camps.

Omda Abdallah Salih, from Alsalam camp, pointed to the need for cooperation and coordination between the Government and UNAMID in terms of providing security in areas of IDP return. This would enable IDPs to go back to their villages and resume cultivation of their land, said Mr. Salih.