UN reaffirms commitment to exit strategy of UNAMID in Darfur

NEW YORK, Jan 25 (KUNA) -- The UN remains committed to developing the exit strategy of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on the basis of concrete and tangible achievements against benchmarks, Peacekeeping Operations official said.
Speaking before the UN Security Council, the Undersecretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous briefed the members on latest situation in Darfur and said that he looked forward to the full commitment of Government of Sudan in making measurable progress against key benchmarks, such as cessation of hostilities, inclusive peace process, unhindered access and movement of UN and humanitarian personnel, as the starting point for further discussions on the phased drawdown of the Mission.
The UN official reiterated his concern about the impact of the renewed upsurge in fighting on the civilian population in the Jebel Marra, and expressed hope that "the cessation of hostilities negotiations will come to a positive conclusion and bring an end to the suffering of the population." UNAMID has reported earlier that it remains engaged with the ongoing displacements and serious humanitarian consequences caused by the fighting between government forces and armed movements in Jebel Marra, in Central Darfur.
As it confirmed that some 8,403 affected civilians, mostly women and children, have taken refuge in the vicinity of the Mission's Sortoni camp site, in North Darfur. (end) mao.bs