UNAMID discusses ‘access restrictions’ with government

The Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Field Support (USG–DFS), Ameerah Haq, concluded a working visit to UNAMID in El-Fasher on 8 November, according to a press statement. Ms. Haq said she intended to assess the Mission’s support to ensure an enabling environment so it could meet the expectations of its mandate.  She stated that “Although there is some progress in the peace process, there are some limitations, such as access restrictions”, adding that she “raised these issues with the Government to ensure smooth operation of the Mission, and in this regard [she has] received assurances of the Government’s cooperation.” While in Kabkabiya, Ms. Haq reportedly spoke with the local team and expressed hope to the Jordanian Formed Police Unit Commander for the speedy release of UNAMID’s two kidnapped Jordanian police officers. In this regard, the statement continued, she said United Nations Headquarters is engaged daily in working toward their safe and speedy release. The trip, which represented the new USG’s first tour to field missions worldwide, began in Khartoum on Tuesday and ended in El Fasher, North Darfur, the press release read.Besides, during the visit, Ms. Haq met with Sudanese officials, representatives of the UN Country Team and UNAMID leadership. “The purpose of this visit to Sudan is to hear from all stakeholders and the Mission leadership their pressing issues and to work together to make sure those issues are resolved”, she said. According to the press release, the United Nations Department of Field Support provides support to political and peacekeeping missions around the world, helping them to promote peace and security. DFS focuses on finance; logistics; information, communication and technology; human resources; and general administration, it concluded. Photo: Guard of Honor for the arrival of Ameerah Haq, at the UNAMID headquarters, in El Fasher, North Darfur. Photo by Albert González Farran – UNAMID