United Nations Radio

The special representative of the UN and the African Union in Darfur, today appealed to the UN Security Council to redouble its efforts to assist the joint mission in the Sudanese region to overcome the formidable logistical and political obstacles it is facing.

Rodolphe Adada (photo) said that in spite of the mission's efforts, the force, known as UNAMID, has been unable to increase its strength much more than the African Union force, AMIS, it replaced at the beginning of the year.

"The force is at less than 40 % of its mandated level of 19,555 and it is very unlikely to achieve full-operating-capability before 2009."

Mr. Adada said the mission is witness to intensified violence and deeper polarization in the conflict in Darfur, where recent government attacks on villages have killed at least a hundred civilians and displaced tens of thousands from their homes. He called on all parties to respect their obligations under international law and the existing ceasefire agreement.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.

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