On 9 February 2015, the Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Carlos Lopes, paid a one-day, official visit to El Fasher in North Darfur. The visit was aimed at exploring ways in which the ECA can assist in formulating a development strategy to usher in an economic transformation across Sudan.

The ECA is working, in collaboration with the African Union and the African Development Bank (AfDB), in preparing Africa’s vision and priorities for Agenda 2063.

During his tour of Darfur, Mr. Lopes and his delegation visited the Zam Zam camp for the internally displaced and also reviewed the ongoing projects of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA).

Additionally, Mr. Lopes also met with UNAMID’s Acting Joint Special Representative (AJSR), Abiodun Bashua, and discussed the Mission’s operations including the challenges faced, the ongoing peace process, the overall security situation in Darfur as well as forthcoming deliberations on UNAMID’s exit strategy.

On 9 February 2015, USG Lopes meets with UNAMID Acting JSR and other Mission senior officials in El Fasher. Photo by Hamid Abdulsalam, UNAMID.