OUTGOING EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR STARTS FINAL MISSION TO AFRICA

 

NEW YORK, 9 November (OCHA) -- Jan Egeland is scheduled to arrive tomorrow in Nairobi, Kenya, at the start of his final mission to Africa as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

During his 10-day mission, Mr. Egeland is expected to travel to Juba, in southern Sudan, at the request of the parties to the ongoing peace talks between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and to Kampala, Uganda, to meet with representatives of the humanitarian and donor community, as well as senior Government officials.

While in Juba, Mr. Egeland has indicated his willingness to meet with the LRA senior leadership, in the event of a significant humanitarian development, such as a transfer of non-combatants, wounded and/or sick civilians into the care of specialized humanitarian agencies.  At such a meeting, he would focus on reinforcing the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the 20-year conflict and discussing outstanding humanitarian issues.  Mr. Egeland does not intend to raise the issue of the warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for members of the LRA senior leadership.

Following his visit to South Sudan and Uganda, the Emergency Relief Coordinator is expected to continue his mission to Khartoum, capital of the Sudan, where he is expected to meet with the United Nations Country Team, other members of the humanitarian and donor community, and senior Government officials, including President Bashir and Vice-President Taha.  He will then proceed to Darfur, where he plans to visit several displacement camps and meet with nomadic and other traditional leaders, local and state leaders, as well as with representatives and field commanders from both the signatories and non-signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement.  Mr. Egeland will also meet with representatives of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and with members of the humanitarian community working in Darfur.

At present, several press events are scheduled during the mission, including press conferences in Juba and Khartoum.  For a complete list of opportunities in specific locations, please contact:

Contact	Telephone Number
Dawn Blalock, OCHA-Sudan	+249 187 089 453, +249 912 174 454 (mobile), +88 216 5119 1670 (Thuraya) blalock@un.org
Christina Bennett, OCHA-South Sudan	+47 241 37 816 bennett1@un.org
Christophe Illemassene, OCHA-Uganda	+256 31 242 804, +256 77 759 996 (mobile) illemassene@un.org
Jens Laerke, OCHA-Nairobi	+254 20 762 2119, +254 7 22 513 503 (mobile) laerke@un.org
Luluwa Ali, OCHA-Nairobi	+254 20 762 1004 ali19@un.org
Stephanie Bunker, OCHA- New York	+1 917 367 5126, +1 917 892 1679 (mobile) bunker@un.org
Kristen Knutson, OCHA- New York	+1 917 367 9262 knutson@un.org

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For information media • not an official record