DARFUR / FORCE COMMANDERS

The outgoing Force Commander of the joint UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMD), Martin Luther Agwai hands over the reins to Patrick Nyamvumba of Rwanda. UNAMID

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:12
• Production Date: 24 August 2009
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS-AFRICAN UNION MISSION IN DARFUR - UNAMID
• Subject Topical: PEACE AND SECURITY
• Geographic Subject: SUDAN
• MAMS Id: U090824c

Description

STORY: DARFUR / FORCE COMMANDERS
TRT: 2.12
SOURCE: UNAMID
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 24 AUGUST 2009, ELFASHER, DARFUR SUDAN

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, outgoing UNAMID Force Commander General Martin Luther Agwai arriving in UN vehicle
2. Med shot, Agwai greeting UN official
3. Wide shot, UN peacekeeper in parade
4. Close up, Agwai saluting
5. Med shot, Agwai saluting and watching the parade
6. Close up, UN peacekeeper in parade marching
7. SOUNDBITE (English) General Martin Luther Agwai, Force Commander, African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID):
"I am leaving as a fulfilled commander, because despite all odds, I am leaving at a time Darfur is experiencing a significant reduction in the level of violence, largely due to the mission contribution in the area of civilian protection, humanitarian intervention, as well as conflict prevention and resolution at local level."
8. Wide shot, Agwai reading speech
9. SOUNDBITE (English) General Martin Luther Agwai, Force Commander, African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID):
"I believe we have made remarkable progress in this troubled region but we still have much more to do especially with the lack of an all-inclusive comprehensive peace agreement, the general election that are coming and the referendum of 2011."
10. Med shot, Agwai introducing new Darfur Force Commander designate General Patrick Nyamvumba
11. Med shot, Nyamvumba walking and saluting UN peacekeepers
12. SOUNDITE (English) General Patrick Nyamvumba, Force Commander Designate, African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID):
"Darfur is a challenging place but the outgoing team has done a wonderful job which we should be able to build upon to propel the force and the mission to the desired end state."
13. Med shot, UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Mr. Rodolphe Adada, presenting a gift to outgoing Force Commander Martin Agwai

Storyline

The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) today (24 August) held a farewell parade in honor of its outgoing Force Commander, General Martin Luther Agwai.

The ceremony held at El Fasher stadium marked the end of the Nigerian force commander’s service in the mission area leading more than 15,000 UN-AU peacekeepers in the war-torn region of Darfur.

In his speech, General Agwai paid tribute to all officers, soldiers, police and civilian personnel who lost their lives while serving the cause of peace and humanity in Darfur. He highlighted the achievements made so far, including progress made in the areas of deployment of UNAMID forces in Darfur as well as the challenges the mission in Darfur faces such as lack of critical strategic enablers in peacekeeping.

SOUNDBITE (English) General Martin Luther Agwai, Force Commander, African Union- United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID):
"I am leaving as a fulfilled commander, because despite all odds, I am leaving at a time Darfur is experiencing a significant reduction in the level of violence, largely due to the mission contribution in the area of civilian protection, humanitarian intervention, as well as conflict prevention and resolution at local level."

Agwai also stressed that the way forward for UNAMID was to continue developing its operational capabilities, patrol skills in particular, in order to extend UNAMID’s area of influence, citing more challenges ahead.

SOUNDBITE (English) General Martin Luther Agwai, Force Commander, African Union- United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID):
"I believe we have made remarkable progress in this troubled region but we still have much more to do especially with the lack of an all-inclusive comprehensive peace agreement, the general election that are coming and the referendum of 2011."

The outgoing force commander took the opportunity to introduce his successor, General Patrick Nyamvumba of Rwanda, to senior military officials and to the contingent representatives, as well as UN civilian personnel attending the farewell ceremony.

Nyamvumba acknowledged the tasks ahead but vowed he'd march on from where his predecessor had left.

SOUNDITE (English) General Patrick Nyamvumba, Force Commander Designate, African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID):
"Darfur is a challenging place but the outgoing team has done a wonderful job which we should be able to build upon to propel the force and the mission to the desired end state."

General Martin Luther Agwai was appointed by the Chairperson of African Union and Secretary-General of the United Nations, arriving in Darfur in July 2007 as Force Commander of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and the first Force Commander of the AU-UN Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID). During his military career, he also served as Deputy Force Commander of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and Adviser in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at UN Headquarters in New York.