Uganda will play host to the new UN mission for Darfur. The signing of the memorandum was concluded today in Kampala.

During a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda today, UNAMID and the government of Uganda exchanged letters on the establishment of a new UNAMID Liaison Office in Entebbe, Uganda.

The Joint Special Representative, Rodolphe Adada and the Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa presided over the exchange ceremony.

In his statement, Mr Adada pointed out that UNAMID activities within the framework of its mandate have demonstrated a need for additional logistical arrangements to support the Mission from offices outside Darfur. He expressed sincere gratitude to the government of Uganda for the support extended to UNAMID to facilitate its mandate.

Speaking at the same ceremony, the Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the exchange of letters underlines his country’s commitment to work with the United Nations, the African Union and the International Community to find durable and lasting solutions to conflicts in Africa and elsewhere in the world. He also underscored Uganda’s determination to work with UNAMID to achieve its mandate, goals and objectives.

According to the agreement, the government of Uganda will facilitate the free, unhindered and expeditious movement to Uganda of all personnel, as well as equipment, provisions supplies and other goods, which will be for the exclusive use of the UNAMID Liaison Office at Entebbe.

Uganda also undertook to extend to the UNAMID Liaison Office, its property, funds and assets, personnel and contractors providing services exclusively to UNAMID the privileges and immunities for the fulfilment of its functions as provided in the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN to which Uganda is a party without reservation.