Photo by Mutaz Munafal, UNAMID.
On 23 November 2017, UNAMID Joint Special Representative (JSR), Jeremiah Mamabolo, visited Nyala, South Darfur, where he met the Wali of South Darfur, Adam El Faki. Following their meeting, JSR Mamabolo and Wali El Faki jointly announced their agreement to form a tripartite weapons collection committee for South Darfur state. To be comprised of representatives from the Government of Sudan, UNAMID and internally displaced persons’ leaders, the initiative hopes to ensure a peaceful arms collection across the state
The following day, JSR Mamabolo visited Shattaya village, some 170 kilometers west of Nyala town, where he handed over various facilities developed by UNAMID under its Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) programme to community members. These included a secondary school, a water pump, a prosecutor’s office that will serve both Kass and Shattaya localities, a rural court as well as a rehabilitated fence for the Shattaya Police Station. While touring these facilities, Mr. Mamabolo commended the collaboration between UNAMID, the Government of Sudan and the local community, saying that such fruitful partnerships, combined with the ongoing weapons collection campaign, will provide physical security to returnees and encourage them to return to their places of origin. On his part, Mr. Sabeel Ahmed, Deputy Wali of South Darfur, commended the Mission for its sustained efforts in support of stabilization. “We are grateful for UNAMID for the amenities that it built in Shattaya, as they will greatly improve the quality of life of the people living here” said Mr. Ahmed.
The JSR also met with the residents of Kalma camp for internally displaced persons where he spoke about the Government of Sudan’s ongoing weapons collection and its role in providing added security by curbing criminal activities across Darfur.