UN mission in Sudan’s Darfur set to end mandate

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM (AA) – The UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is set to end its mandate in the troubled Sudanese region on Thursday after 13 years of operation.

In a statement on Wednesday, UNAMID said the Sudanese government will take the responsibility of providing security and services to citizens in the region.

“As of 1 January 2021, UNAMID’s troops and police personnel will focus on providing security for the mission’s drawdown activities, personnel and assets,” the mission said.

“UNAMID will have a period of six months to undertake the drawdown, which will be conducted in a phased manner. This will involve repatriating troops, their vehicles and other equipment, separation of international and national staff as well as a sequential closure of mission’s team sites and offices and handing them over to designated entities in line with United Nations rules” it explained.

Last week, the UN Security Council agreed to end the UNAMID mission in Darfur when its mandate ceases on Dec. 31.

The mission was deployed in Darfur in 2007 to end a bitter conflict that erupted in the western region in 2003 between government forces and rebel groups.