UN Emergency Relief Coordinator to travel to Africa

(New York, 09 November 2006): 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 ten-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 twenty-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: