Accompanied by UNMIS Force Headquarters Chief of Staff Col. Oivind Oland Christensen and DPKO Peacekeeping Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Rajeev Kaul, the Deputy Advisor met with Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ashraf Qazi and UNMIS senior management in Khartoum. He then visited the mission's six regional offices to update himself with events on the ground.

Arriving at Ed Damazin on 5 November, the delegation was greeted by area Sector Commander Col. Zawar Hussain and briefed on the situation in Blue Nile State as well as potential threats in light of upcoming elections scheduled for April 2010.

Summarizing development activities of the Pakistani contingent in the area, Col. Hussain said, "(These include) 36 medical camps in different counties around Ed Damazin, providing hand pumps, constructing roads, constructing new toilets and inaugurating library corner fully equipped with computers and books for students of Blue Nile State University."

Following a lunch at the Pakistani camp, which was also attended by Area Joint Military Committee (AJMC) members of the Sudan Armed Forces Col. Adil Abbas and Sudan People's Liberation Army Col. Deng Panyan, Col. Maj. Gen. Guha congratulated the contingent for their professional attitude.

"I am highly impressed by the way things are moving here in Damazin sector. At present, UNMIS (Sudan) is the priority and is engaging much of the UN's energy and effort. Therefore, our operations must be designed to achieve maximum synergy between all elements of the military force."

The delegation also met with members of the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) during their visit.