UN deputy chief, top Sudan official meet in New York, discuss peace, security issues

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, has met with Ibrahim Ghandour, Deputy Chairman of Sudan’s National Congress Party, to discuss the National Dialogue called for by President Bashir of Sudan and ongoing efforts to end hostilities in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The two met yesterday and also on the agenda for Mr. Eliasson and Mr. Ghandour, who serves as Assistant to President Bashir, was the situation in Darfur, together with ongoing discussions on an exit strategy for the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

Mr. Eliasson underscored the need to end the fighting in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, and to ensure humanitarian access to people in need. He also stressed the importance of an inclusive and transparent National Dialogue for the achievement of lasting peace and development in Sudan.

The Deputy Secretary-General expressed concern over continued allegations of mass rape in the village of Tabit in Darfur and urged the Government of Sudan to allow UNAMID access to carry out a full investigation into the incident.