29 January 2009 -- UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Mr. Rodolphe Adada, met with the African Union Chairperson, Mr. Jean Ping yesterday at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa and briefed him on progress made by the Mission and the status of deployment.

Mr. Adada reiterated UNAMID’s commitment to fulfill its mandate to provide protection of civilians despite the numerous challenges encountered including the security situation in North and South Darfur.

The AU Chairperson expressed satisfaction at progress made in Darfur and informed that he was engaged in consultations with different stakeholders including the international community discussing ways on how to accelerate the full deployment of UNAMID and get all the warring parties to the negotiating table in order to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace in Darfur.