UNITED NATIONS -- It is estimated that at least 78,000 people have been newly displaced by conflict in Darfur this year due to Sudanese government's military offensive against rebels, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday.
"The second phase of the government's military offensive, ' Operation Decisive Summer' has resulted in high numbers of newly displaced people," said Edmond Mulet, assistant secretary-general for UN peacekeeping operations.
"In addition, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs received reports of some 130,000 additional internal displaced persons but was not yet able to verify," he added.
Mulet said the security situation remained serious in Darfur with limited progress in the peace process, highlighting that the current year has seen inter-communal conflicts leading to periodic outbreaks of violence.
The Security Council convened Wednesday to have consultations on African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) . The mission was established on July 31, 2007 with the primary mandate of civilian protection and its current authorization is until June 30, 2015.
Moulet said the UN Secretariat, in agreement with the Council for Peace and Security of the African Union, has requested from the Security Council the extension of UNAMID's mandate for an additional year, until June 2016.
He also mentioned that the exit strategy for UNAMID is based on the achievement of the mission's benchmarks and premised on a political solution to the conflict based on direct talks between the parties, starting with a cessation of hostilities.
"The exist strategy is also based on the gradual and phased withdrawal of UNAMID's force from West Darfur where there have not been any major activities by armed groups or inter-communal fighting in the past two years," he added.
Darfur region lies on the far west region of Sudan with a total area estimated at around 500,000 square km. It is considered Sudan 's western gate where the region shares joint borders with Libya, Chad and Central Africa Republic.
The region has seen growing tribal violence as the local tribes could easily obtain weapons, while many parts of the area have no effective governance.
For years, efforts have failed to end the tribal conflicts, which have become a nagging concern for local population and the authorities of the troubled region.
