The African Union Peace and Security Council has Commended African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for its invaluable contribution towards the protection of civilians,as well as for its support to early recovery initiatives in troubled Darfur.
The Council has also commended the review by UNAMID of its Protection of Civilians Strategy that focuses on physical protection, humanitarian assistance, protection through access to the rights, early recovery and social empowerment, and protection through political engagement.
The Council has therefore extended the mandate of UNAMID for another year and urged the UN to do the same. The UNAMID force led by Rwanda’s Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, its mandate was due to expire on July 31, 2012.
The Council resolutions were made Tuesday during the 328th meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Rwanda has more than 3,200 officers and men in Darfur mandated to protecting civilians, promoting an inclusive peace process and helping ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance across Darfur.
The Council expressed satisfaction with reduction of hostilities between Sudan Government forces and the armed Movements.
However, the Council expressed concern at the sporadic fighting in Darfur, the increase in incidents of banditry and other criminal activities, and the attacks by unidentified armed individuals against UNAMID convoys.
The Council said it was satisfied with the significant increase in the number of voluntary and spontaneous returns throughout Darfur in the past few months, and calls for continued efforts to sustain this trend, especially as close to 1.7 million Darfuris still remain in IDP camps, while dozens of thousands others are refugees in neighboring countries, particularly Chad.
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