UN Security Council Headed to Africa, Including Somalia and Sudan

The United Nations Security Council will go to five nations in Africa, including Sudan and Somalia, over the next week. The press was briefed today about the pending trip by Ambassador Michel Kafando of Burkina Faso; Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert of France; Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo of South Africa; and Ambassador John Sawers of the United Kingdom.

In Somalia, the Security Council will meet with the current government - including the President and Prime Minister, opposition parties, diplomatic community, and "civil society." Ambassador Kumalo indicated that "all the major players will be there," and that this is a "great opportunity for the Somalis."

Regarding the Sudan leg of the trip, the panel indicated that the Security Council will visit Khartoum in the North, as well as Juba and President Salva Kiir in the South. The Sudan leg will focus heavily on Darfur, as well as the progress made by the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Mr. Sawyers stated that it is "clear that UNAMID is building up it's capability," but that "there is more to be done."
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