UN mission confirms improvement of security situation in Sudan's Darfur

The United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Joint Special Representative, Jeremiah Mamabolo, speaks at a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan, July 10, 2017. UNAMID on Monday acknowledged improvement of the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur, but warned that the situation remains fragile. [Photo/Xinhua]

KHARTOUM - The United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Monday acknowledged improvement of the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur, but warned that the situation remains fragile.

UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Jeremiah Mamabolo said at a press conference that the armed conflict in Darfur has become localized to the presence of the holdout movement, Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid in western Jebel Marra.

However, there are still some 2.7 million displaced people living in camps. Militia groups are still active and inter-communal violence still occurs across the region, he added.

Mamabolo confirmed the "relative stability" in Darfur, while stressed the need to be cautious and make sure to put measures that will ensure sustainability.

The mission, he said, is "reconfiguring," according to the recently adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2363 on 29 June on reduction of the mission component.

The reconfiguration process will be conducted in two phases, and will reduce military personnel to 8,735 from the current 13,627 and police personnel to 2,500 from 2,994 by 30 June, 2018.

The UNAMID is also composed of 748 international civilian personnel, 2,151 local civilian personnel and 120 volunteers.

The UNAMID chief further reiterated that the mission would continue its task to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian access, while ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian personnel, and to mediate between the government and armed movements.

He urged all the conflicting parties in Darfur to reach a peaceful settlement through negotiation and to reach an agreement on cessation of hostilities.

The UNAMID was deployed early 2008 in Darfur region, witnessing military clashes between the Sudanese army and the rebels since 2003, which left 300,000 people dead and displaced around 2.5 million others according to UN statistics.