Press Releases
THE WEEK AT AMIS FHQ
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Jun 19, 2006 - 2:08:00 PM

AFRICAN UNION		AFRICAN UNION MISSION IN the SUDAN
		AMIS HQs
P. O. Box 8372, Khartoum, SUDAN   Tel.: (0183) 582207/9 Fax: 002491-83-582206 Email: [email protected]

 THE WEEK AT AMIS FHQ

18.06.06

     THE NEW DARFUR CEASEFIRE COMMISSION INAUGURATED

The Darfur Ceasefire Commission (CFC) was inaugurated on Tuesday, 13 June 2006, at the Force Headquarters of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in El Fasher, Sudan.  As set out in the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA),   the CFC is the organ responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the ceasefire provisions of the DPA, and other previous agreements between the Sudanese parties.

The ceremony was chaired by Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson and Chairman of the Joint Commission.

 It was witnessed by Amb Said Djinnit, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security and Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations who are leading the AU/UN joint Technical Assessment Mission.

The inaugural session was attended by representatives of the Government of Sudan and the Mini Minawi�s Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), as signatories of the DPA. They pledged to cooperate fully with the CFC and all other efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Darfur.

 It was also attended by representatives from the SLM/A of Abdul  Waheed Al Nour  and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), who have not signed the DPA, but are bound by the N�djamena Ceasefire Agreement, the Addis Ababa Agreement , and the two Abuja Protocols of 2005, all relating to ceasefire arrangements.  Both parties pledged their support for all efforts at securing a lasting peace in Darfur.

Commissioner Djinnit stressed that, in the immediate term, efforts must be made to strengthen AMIS in order to enable it to carry out its new responsibilities as stipulated in the DPA and the other agreements. Commissioner Djinnit also welcomed the fact that all parties were represented at the event and called upon them to quickly take up their tasks.

The AMIS Force Commander and new Chairperson of the CFC, General CRU Ihekire, underlined the pivotal role to be played by the Commission in resolving issues relating to ceasefire violations between the parties. He further stated �that the CFC will leave no stone unturned in facilitating the resolution of disputes by dialogue.�

Mr. Guehenno, urged all parties to build upon the momentum provided by this important event. He expressed the determination of the international community, especially the United Nations, to bolster support for the valuable efforts of the African Union to bring long-lasting peace and stability to Darfur.

Finally, Ambassador Kingibe announced that efforts will be made to inaugurate the Joint Commission soon, if possible, before the holding of the African Union Summit in Banjul, scheduled for 1-2 July 2006.

 MIA FARROW VISITS AMIS FHQ

The American actress Mia Farrow paid on Wednesday 14 June 2006 a visit to The AMIS Forward Headquarters where she met Ambassador Hassan Gibril, Deputy Head of Mission, to exchange points of views on the contribution of the African Union Mission in the Sudan to solve the Darfur crisis.

This meeting was followed by operational briefings by the military component of the Forces Headquarters on the current situation on ground, the protection of IDPs Camps and the IDPs themselves. Ms Farrow was particularly interested in the protection of children and the respect for their rights.

Ms Mia Farrow, became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in September 2000. Victim of polio, she was initially involved with UNICEF in order to campaign for the eradication of this disease. Since then, she has been a true advocate for children, campaigning for their rights around the world.

This is the second trip of Ms Farrow to Sudan. In 2004, with her son, Ronan Farrow a UNICEF spokesperson for Youth, Mia Farrow visited Darfur in order to highlight the devasting impact of the civil war on women and children.

To conclude this week at the AMIS FWHQ, it will be recalled that Ambassador Hassan A. Gibril was officially confirmed in his functions as Deputy Head of the African Union Mission in the Sudan, based in Fasher. It was announced by Ambassador Said Djennit, the Commissioner of AU Peace and Security Council at the inaugural session of the new Darfur Ceasefire Commission which took place in El Fasher on Tuesday 13 June 2006.

 One year ago, Ambassador Hassan ALIEU Gibril  assumed his duties as acting deputy Head of Mission and at the same time the Chairman of the Ceasefire Commission which he handed over to the Force Commander at the inaugural session of the New Ceasefire Commission under the terms of DPA.

MOUSSA HAMANI ALZOUMA

INFORMATION OFFICER

AMIS-FHQ.EL FASHER.

Phone : 09 11 37 11 02