UNSC: Extends UN-AU in Darfur, Sudan four months

GOOD news. Yesterday (27 June) the UN Security Council unanimously agreed to extend the mandate of the UN-AU peacekeeping operations in Darfur, western Sudan for four more months until 31 October 2019. 

Quick search: "About UNAMID. The African Union - UN hybrid operation in Darfur was formally established by the Security Council on 31 July 2007 through the adoption of resolution 1769, referred to by its acronym UNAMID, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. UNAMID formally took over from AMIS on 31 December 2007."

Thinking back to 12-16 years ago brings memories of horrifying violence in Darfur. What an ordeal everyone there, including the fledgling African Union, went through. Sadly, many brave peacekeepers (I lost count after 100) lost their lives in Darfur.

I saw a tweet yesterday posted by a Sudanese teenager saying 'their' revolution started six months ago is what put Sudan on world map and raised awareness of issues. It made me wonder what teachers and parents of such young folk say about wars in Darfur and S. Sudan. If my memory is correct, there weren't many people in Khartoum showing concern for their countrymen suffering in Darfur and S. Sudan.

Image credit Associated Press (AP) from report by Edith M Lederer, 28 June 2019, UN puts brakes on peacekeepers' pullout from Sudan's Darfur. To read the report click here: https://www.stripes.com/un-puts-brakes-on-peacekeepers-pullout-from-sudan-s-darfur-1.588040

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Sudan and South Sudan - Security Council, 8566th meeting

27 Jun 2019 -  Adoption of a resolution extending the mandate of the UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) until 31 October 2019. 

Special report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the strategic assessment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (S/2019/445).

To see a film of the meeting click here: http://webtv.un.org/watch/player/6053013191001