Unamid and Sudanese police strengthen cooperation

Unamid and the Government of Sudan (GoS) police have held a strategic workshop in Khartoum on the Memorandum of Understanding they signed in August 2013. The event that took place on Wednesday was attended by some 100 police officers from both institutions, including GoS police directors general from the five states of Darfur.  The Interior Minister, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamed said that the goal was to achieve peace and stability in Darfur. “Peace would not be realised by increasing military and police troop numbers, but through making peace a culture,” he stated.  Unamid Police Commissioner Hester Paneras emphasised the importance of the signing of the first Memorandum of Understanding between Unamid and GoS police. “If Unamid and GoS police work together, they can truly make positive change happen for the sake of Darfuris,” she said.  During the workshop, participants discussed the importance of enhancing the capacity-building of GoS police, protection of communities in Darfur, including the displaced people, and the effective cooperation and coordination of community policing initiatives. Various challenges, such as limited access to some areas by both parties, were also discussed.  The outcome document of this workshop will form a basis for a joint strategy incorporating short-, medium-, and long-term activities. File photo: Police in El Fasher, North Darfur