UNAMID Sudan: Security situation in Darfur, 03 Feb 2010 - Justice Mohamed Chande Othman tours Darfur incl Abu Shouk camp & Swilinga

Source: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
El Fasher (Darfur), Sudan, Wednesday, February 3, 2010/via APO:
UNAMID Daily Media Brief / 2010-02-03

Security situation in Darfur
The security situation in Darfur remains relatively calm but unpredictable.

UNAMID military forces conducted 55 patrols including routine, short range, long range, night patrols, and Humanitarian escort patrols, covering 66 villages and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps during the reporting period.

UNAMID police advisors also conducted 108 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights visits North Darfur
The newly appointed Independent Expert on the situation of Human Rights, Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, arrived in the North Darfur capital of El Fasher today. He is expected to undertake occasional visits to the Sudan and engage in constructive dialogue with the Government and other relevant stakeholders on human rights concerns brought to his attention as mandated by the Human Rights Council.

Upon arrival, Mr. Othman was briefed by the UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative, Henry Anyidoho, the Director of Human Rights, Ms. Marie-Therese Keita, and other UNAMID substantive sections. The Independent Expert also paid a courtesy visit to the Wali (Governor) of North Darfur, Mr. Osman Kibir, and visited the Abu Shouk internally displaced persons (IDP) camp and Swilinga village to assess first hand the returnees as reported.

Mr. Othman and his entourage are next scheduled to travel to Nyala, Zalingei and El Geneina in South and West Darfur respectively.

Head of Darfur Integrated Operation Team bids farewell to Darfur
The current head of the Integrated Operational Team (IOT), Mr. Michael Gaouette, yesterday concluded a four-day visit to Darfur. He was accompanied by Mr. Jack Christofides, who will succeed him as head of IOT in March.

During his visit, Mr. Gaouette met with the Mission’s leadership to discuss the current political, security and humanitarian situation in Darfur. He observed that UNAMID had made significant progress and that its presence had made an impact on the ground. However, he added that there remains much work to be done.

The Darfur IOT delivers support to the Mission by resolving operational issues at the working level and providing integrated advice to senior management. Mr. Gaouette stated that the IOT’s future objectives are to help secure a peace agreement for Darfur and assist in its implementation.

SOURCE: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

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