UNAMID JSR meets with Sudanese VP Taha, full support pledged

Sudan / UNAMID JSR meets with Sudanese Vice President, full support pledged
SOURCE: United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, March 18, 2010/APO:

Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari was received today by Vice President of the Sudan Ali Osman Mohamed Taha. The visit marks the first between the two since the JSR took up his duties as head of UNAMID.

Mr. Gambari briefed the Vice President on UNAMID’s activities, including the new priorities of providing more proactive support to the ongoing peace process; enhancing the security of civilians and internally displaced people in Darfur; laying the foundation for early recovery; and, assisting in the normalization of relations between Chad and the Sudan.

VP Taha fully endorsed these priorities and pledged the full support of the Government of the Sudan in assisting UNAMID in fulfilling its mandate.

“I’m particularly happy that this meeting took place before the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement between the Government of the Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement in Doha, Qatar. This comes at a time when we are witnessing positive developments,” the JSR said.

“We want to see UNAMID succeed as this is beneficial to the people of Sudan, and most importantly for the Darfurians,” the VP stated.

This evening JSR Gambari will depart for Doha, where he will attend the signing of the aforementioned Agreement.