Heavy support for Sudan Mission of African Union

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES AGREEMENT BY SUDAN ON UNITED NATIONS HEAVY SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR AFRICAN UNION MISSION THERE

Spokesperson for UN-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General has received the letter from the Government of Sudan confirming its agreement on the entire heavy support package of the United Nations assistance to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and welcomes it.

The Secretary-General is encouraged by this development and intends to move expeditiously with the deployment, in close cooperation with the African Union.  He affirms his intention to consult with the Government of Sudan and expects the latter to urgently provide the land and other facilities necessary for the deployment of the heavy support package, including permission to explore for water and meet all operational requirements.  He encourages the troops and police providers, as well as all donors, to contribute generously towards the earliest possible strengthening of the peacekeeping operation in Darfur.  At the same time, he urges that hostilities on the ground be stopped without any further delay.

The United Nations will intensify its efforts to implement the Addis and Abuja agreements aimed at an inclusive political process and the provision of effective protection of the population, in order to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Darfur, in close consultation with the African Union.  It will also maintain close contact with the League of Arab States.

Today, the Secretary-General and the African Union Chairperson, Alpha Oumar Konaré, begin high-level consultations dealing with major spects of the political process, humanitarian access and effective peacekeeping.