Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday announced the appointment of Rwandan Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba to head the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur starting Sept. 1.
Nyamvumba, currently chief of logistics of the Rwanda Defense Forces, will succeed Gen. Martin Luther Agwai of Nigeria who has served as force commander since the joint peacekeeping mission was established in 2007 to try to help end the war that began in 2003 when rebel groups in Darfur took up arms against the government, complaining of discrimination and neglect.
U.N. officials say up to 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million have fled their homes, with many now living in camps.
As of June 30, the total strength of the joint force known as UNAMID was 13,430 military personnel _ 68 percent of the authorized strength of 19,555.
In a report to the Security Council earlier this month, Ban said the lack of 18 medium utility helicopters along with key transport and aerial reconnaissance units and a hospital "continues to be a source of serious concern."
Ban said in a letter to the council expressing his intention to appoint Nyamvumba that the general "brings to UNAMID extensive leadership and operational experience." He expressed his gratitude to Agwai for his "exemplary service during his tenure" with the force.
The Security Council responded with a letter approving the appointment of Nyamvumba, who has held several senior command positions in the Rwandan Army since 1995 including president of the Military High Court in 2007.
The Security Council is expected to extend the mandate of UNAMID for another year before it expires this Friday.
A draft resolution, prepared by Britain, confirms that the situation in Darfur remains a threat to international peace and security.
The resolution notes with concern "the negative effect of ongoing tensions between the governments of Sudan and Chad." It calls for a reduction of tensions and rebel activity in the neighboring countries, saying this is essential "to achieve long-lasting peace in Darfur and in the region."
The draft demands that all parties immediately end violence in Darfur and condemns the decision of the Sudanese government on March 4 to expel 13 international non-governmental organizations "which has further reduced the delivery of humanitarian supplies to populations in need."
