UNAMID and UNDP as part of UNCT received a delegation of 15 African Ambassadors accredited to the Republic of Sudan who visited El Fasher, the state capital of North Darfur, from 3- 4 December 2019. While in El Fasher, the Group of the African Ambassadors visited the Human Rights Resource Centre at the University of El Fasher constructed under the UNAMID-UNDP partnership designated State Liaison Function, which aims to support the transition in the face of UNAMID draw back from the region as well as peacebuilding efforts through promotion of human rights in Darfur. This Centre was constructed in collaboration with the University of El Fasher’s Law School as an implementing partner.

The Human Rights Resource Center at the University of El Fasher, the first of its kind in North Darfur, exemplifies the commitment of the Government, with the support of the international community, to the promotion of Human Rights in Darfur and Sudan as a whole.

This initiative, which is being replicated in three other states in Darfur (East, West and South Darfur) will equally benefit communities in these states. The representative of the Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR) said during the African Ambassadors’ visit at the Human Rights Resource Centre that ‘the collaboration between UNAMID and UNDP together with other partners is crucial in building the human rights culture, which is an important pre-requisite for sustainable peace and economic development.’

In a joint statement read out on behalf of the group by Amb. Arown K Suge, Kenya, the ambassadors welcomed the financial support provided by UNAMID and UNDP towards the construction of the Centre and the technical support to relevant stakeholders. He added that ‘the Human Rights Resource Center will complement the efforts that the University of El Fasher is undertaking for the advancement of human rights for education, advocacy and research and that this will contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights towards a just and peaceful society.’

The State Liaison Function (SLF) is a joint UNDP-UNAMID project working to build on the efforts undertaken by UNAMID and the UN system in Darfur over the past 10 years to support the period of transition until the mission's drawdown. The SLF supports the need to ensure the continuation of key functions in Darfur on the safeguarding of Rule of Law, Human Rights, Resilience and Livelihoods building.