www. africa-union.org

DIVISION OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION

 

PRESS RELEASE No. 28/2007

UNHCR Donates Information Equipments to Support
AU Peace Process

Addis Ababa 22 February 2007 The United Nations High Committee
for Refugees (UNHCR) via their Regional Liaison Office for Africa, on
Friday 16 February 2007, handed over some information technology equipments
to the African Union Department for Peace and Security.

The
equipment, raging from computers, printers and scanners were donated
as part of the cooperation ties existing between the African Union Commission
and UNHCR. It is aimed at encouraging the implementation of the AU Policy
on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, with respect to its
mandate of protecting, assisting and finding durable solutions for refugees,
returnees and internally displaced persons in Africa, as adopted during
the 7<sup>th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU held in
Banjul, the Gambia, in July 2006,

Speaking
during the occasion, the UNHCR Regional Representative in Addis Ababa,
Mr. Ilunga Ngandu, said, the material support given to the AU Peace
and Security Department falls within the framework of the partnership
between the UNHCR and the AU Commission.

Mr. Ngandu further
explained that, the UNHCR would continue to work hand in gloves with
the AU to support the AU visions and plan of action regarding the maintenance
of peace and security within the continent.

The
Director of the Department of Peace and Security at the AU Commission,
Mr. Geofrey Mugumya, on his part thanked the UNHCR for the generous
gesture. This is a further testimony of UNHCRs commitment to support
AUs efforts in the area of post conflict reconstruction and development,
he said.

Mr.
El-Ghassim Wane, Head of the African Union Conflict Management Division,
and Dr. Naisonon Ngoma, Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Peace Building
Expert at the AU Commission, also attended the handing-over ceremony.