UNAMID Doing Their Best In Darfur, Says Spokesperson

22 July 2010 - (Darfur) – The United Nation African Mission in Darfur says that they are doing their best despite the challenges on the ground.

International NGO’s have criticized UNAMID saying its mandate is too weak to make a difference for the civilian population.

The UNAMID mandate expires at the end of July next year and is expected to be extended.
UNAMID spokesperson Chris Cycmanick spoke to SRS on Thursday from Darfur.

[Chris Cycmanick]: “We conduct on average 200 patrols a day. I cannot imagine if UNAMID was not there I don’t know what type of security force would be here. It’s kind of unthinkable actually. The mandate is being revived and we are expecting to have a new mandate by the end of this month. A new budget has already been approved until the end of June next year. To be honest with you we work with a very fine line because we are supposed to be neutral. So we are hoping that the mandate will be strengthened to give us actually more authorities to help us do things here.”

A total of 27 UNAMID police officers and soldiers have been killed in attacks since the force came to Darfur in 2008.