United Nations Radio

The joint United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is facing serious challenges, according to the Secretary-General's latest report.

UNAMID peacekeeper

The report, covering the period between July and October this year, says UNAMID continued its critical tasks of protecting civilians and facilitating delivery of humanitarian assistance.

But the mission's work has been hampered by a number of serious challenges, including increased threats to international staff and ongoing military activities between Chad and Sudan and within Darfur.

The report also notes that UNAMID personnel continue to be the target of criminal activity and banditry, including harassment and violent attacks.

Ambassador Abdelmahmoud Abdelhaleem of Sudan expressed reservations about some of the contents of the report.

"The report admits that Sudan is intimidating the peacekeepers, which is not correct. And it says also that Sudan is not in conformity with the Status of Forces Agreement, which is not correct. The report speaks about "regretting delays" and this can happen anywhere in the world. We are not perfect, some delays may happen, but that doesn't reflect any lack of political will."

The Sudanese ambassador says the report should have focused squarely on how to reinforce the peace process in Darfur.

It is estimated that up to 300,000 people have died and more than two million have been displaced since fighting broke out in 2003 between government forces and Janjaweed militia and rebel groups in Darfur.