Chambas begins official duties as head of AU-UN mission in Darfur

Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas began on 1 April his official duties as head of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and Joint Chief Mediator, replacing Mr. Ibrahim Gambari who stepped down last August, a statement reads. “I am happy to take up my duties in Darfur at a very crucial time”, Chambas said upon his arrival in Khartoum. Ms. Aïchatou Mindaoudou was nominated interim head of UNAMID and Chief Mediator when Gambari departed and was scheduled to remain in office until his successor would take up official duties. On 20 December 2012, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma appointed Mr. Chambas as their Joint Special Representative for Darfur, Head of UNAMID, and Joint Chief Mediator. “I will work diligently and tirelessly to accomplish the tasks assigned to UNAMID, including advancing the agenda of peace and stability in Darfur,” said Mr. Chambas, adding that “Only an all-inclusive peace on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur can bring a lasting solution to the suffering of millions of men, women and children in this region.” Chambas, a diplomat from Ghana, served recently as the Secretary General of the African, Caribbean, Pacific Group of States (ACP). He also served as Deputy Foreign Secretary of Ghana and Deputy Minister of Education and was involved in the mediation efforts in Liberia between 1991 and 1996.Photo: Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas (unmultimedia.org)Related:Ibn Chambas appointed to head UNAMID (21 December 2012)UNAMID announces Gambari’s departure (29 August 2012)