Sudan says Adada resigned after UN refusal to renew him

September 3, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese President said today that the former head of Darfur hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) resigned to protest UN refusal to renew his contract.
Rodolphe Adada, a former foreign minister of the Republic of Congo, stepped down from his duties as UNAMID chief on August 31. UN Secretary General accepted his resignation and wished him continued success in his “future role with the Government of the Congo.”
Speaking today at a breaking fast ceremony (Iftar) organized Sudanese Copt Church, Al-Bashir said “The enemies of Sudan did not like Adada’s report on Darfur, and this is why they refused to renew him” for another two years. “Adada resigned embodying the dignity of African man.”
Last April, Adada speaking before the UN Security Council described the security situation in Darfur as “low-intensity conflict.” He told the 15 members that around 130-150 people were dying each month due to violence in Darfur, adding the situation has changed from the period of intense hostilities in 2003-2004.
Adada also suggested that the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir last month has complicated prospects for a political process.
At the time, Adada remarks caused an outcry.
The US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice questioned the “low intensity conflict” labeling by Adada and suggested that he is contradicting his boss Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s reports. While UK and French delegates echoed the same view and criticized his allusion to a UNSC resolution suspending Bashir’s indictment.
UN figures say the war has claimed at least 300,000 lives from violence, disease and displacement. It also estimates some 2.7 million people were driven from their homes and at its height, in 2003-2005, it was called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
In an interview with the Associated Press published today, Adada maintained “We can no longer talk of a big conflict, of a war in Darfur.” “I think now everybody understands it. We can no longer speak of this issue. It is over,” he further said.
Nourredine Mezni, the UNAMID spokesperson told Sudan Tribune recently that Adada had resigned due to personal reasons and excluded any political motivations behind his anticipated departure.
Also, Ban Ki-Moon in a letter obtained by Sudan Tribune praised Adada efforts during the last two years. “You have led UNAMID with distinction during its most challenging initial deployment phase and in an environment of unprecedented difficulty,” said the UN chief.
Despite criticisms made by western diplomats on UNAMID’s “ineffectiveness”, it was not clear if Bashir statements reflect a real disaffection between Adada and the UN. Some observers say Sudanese President used to manipulate such situations and turns it for the credit of his government.
(ST)