Security Council

5670^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SUDAN FOR SIX MONTHS,

UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1755 (2007)

 

The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) until 31 October 2007, and requested the Secretary-General to urgently appoint a new Special Representative for that country.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1755 (2007), the Council also called on the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to accelerate progress on implementing all their commitments, in particular to carry out the establishment of Joint Integrated Units and other aspects of the security sector reforms.

The parties were also called on to re-energize the process of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants; complete the full and verified redeployment of forces by 9 July 2007; and take the necessary steps to hold national elections according to the agreed time frame, among other things.

The Council also called on the parties to all relevant agreements to respect their commitments and fully implement all the aspects of those agreements without delay.  In addition, it called on those parties that had not signed the Darfur Peace Agreement to do so without delay and not to act in any way that would impede its implementation.

Explaining his position prior to the adoption of the text, the representative of Qatar said that the Sudan had taken many positive steps in partnership with the United Nations and the African Union.  All that was needed now was assistance based on encouragement and mutual respect, in order to preserve what had been achieved, build on it and protect it from any negative impact.

The purpose of the text, he continued, was to renew the mandate of UNMIS.  His delegation had expressed its comments during the consideration of the first version of the text, which exceeded its intended purpose and dealt with various issues that could be dealt with by other mechanisms.  Also, the language of the draft was not consistent with recent positive developments in the relations between the Sudan and the United Nations.

He said that, since divergent views on the draft had kept the Council from reaching consensus, with the Mission’s expiration approaching, he had put forward a draft for a technical renewal as an alternative, if necessary.  However, it had been possible to reach consensus in the final hours, leading to adoption of the text.  He attached great importance to collective action based on dealing with each case within its limits, without mixing it with other issues and in accordance with the principles of professionalism and transparency.  That was the best way to serve humanity and strengthen the role of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security.

The meeting was called to order at 12 p.m. and adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1755 (2007) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions, in particular resolutions 1714 (2006) of 6 October 2006, 1709 (2006) of 22 September 2006, 1706 (2006) of 31 August 2006, 1679 (2006) of 16 May 2006, 1663 (2006) of 24 March 2006, 1653 (2006) of 27 January 2006, 1627 (2005) of 23 September 2005, and 1590 (2005) of 24 March 2005,

“Recalling also its previous resolutions 1674 (2006) of 28 April 2006 on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, which reaffirms, inter alia, the relevant provisions of the United Nations World Summit Outcome document, 1612 (2005) of 26 July 2005 on children in armed conflict, 1502 (2003) of 26 August 2003 on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, and 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000 on women, peace and security,

“Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of the Sudan and to the cause of peace,

“Welcoming the progress in implementation of elements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 9 January 2005, in particular overall compliance with the ceasefire this year, the progress made in the establishment of the institutional framework provided for in the power-sharing protocol, the adoption of a budget by the authorities of Southern Sudan and introduction of a new currency of the Sudan,

“Recalling the commitment of the international community to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement process, including through development aid; taking note of the meeting of the Sudan Consortium that was held from 19 to 21 March 2007 in Khartoum and Juba; and calling upon donors to continue to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,

“Stressing that elections and force redeployment will be important milestones in Comprehensive Peace Agreement implementation, that meeting commitments against both in 2007 will be central to Comprehensive Peace Agreement credibility, and that urgent action is needed to accelerate preparations for elections,

“Calling upon the Government of National Unity and the international community to support a successful elections process,

“Welcoming the first organized returns of internally displaced persons from Khartoum to Southern Kordofan and Southern Sudan,

“Welcoming the full deployment in Southern Sudan of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) in support of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and acknowledging the continued commitment by troop-contributing countries in support of this mission,

“Reiterating its concern over the restrictions and bureaucratic impediments placed on UNMIS movements and materiel, and the adverse impact such restrictions and impediments have on UNMIS’ ability to perform its mandate effectively and on the ability of the humanitarian community to reach affected persons; and calling upon the Government of National Unity to abide by its international obligations, in this regard, as well as those set out in the Status of Forces Agreement,

”Expressing its grave concern over the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Darfur and the impact on the region; condemning continued violent attacks on civilians, including displaced persons, refugees, women, children, the elderly and humanitarian workers; and reiterating in the strongest terms the need for all parties to the conflict in Darfur, including non-parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement, to put an end to the violence and atrocities in Darfur and the region,

“Expressing its concern over the information about the treatment following the 19 January 2007 arrests and detentions of personnel from the United Nations, African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS), and international non-governmental organizations in Nyala, South Darfur; and calling for the Government of National Unity to respect its commitment to cooperate with the United Nations in the investigation of this incident,

“Welcoming the communiqué signed between the United Nations and the Government of National Unity in Khartoum on 28 March 2007, to support, protect and facilitate all humanitarian operations in Darfur; and calling for its immediate implementation,

“Commending the efforts of the African Union for successful deployment of AMIS, despite exceptionally difficult circumstances, and condemning the recent fatal attacks on AMIS,

“Expressing full support for the coordinated efforts of United Nations and African Union Envoys for Darfur and other leaders to broaden support for and move forward implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement,

“Noting its concern that armed attacks by Other Armed Groups threaten the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, welcoming the agreement between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army to extend the cessation of hostilities agreement and resume peace talks in Juba on 26 April 2007, commending the efforts of United Nations Special Envoy Chissano to bring this progress about, and calling upon both sides to meet their commitments under this process,

“Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the Sudan dated 17 April 2007 (S/2007/213),

“Determining that the situation in the Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

“1.   Decides to extend the mandate of UNMIS until 31 October 2007, with the intention to renew it for further periods;

“2.   Requests the Secretary-General to appoint urgently a new Special Representative for the Sudan and to report to the Council every three months on the implementation of the mandate of UNMIS;

“3.   Calls upon the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to accelerate urgently progress on implementing all their commitments, in particular to carry out the establishment of Joint Integrated Units and other aspects of the security sector reforms; to re-energize the process of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants; to complete the full and verified redeployment of forces by 9 July 2007; to demarcate precisely the 1 January 1956 North/South borderline, consistent with the Machakos Protocol of 20 July 2002; to resolve the Abyei problem and urgently establish an administration there; and to take the necessary steps to hold national elections according to the agreed time frame;

“4.   Calls upon the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Darfur Peace Agreement, the N’Djamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement, the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement and the communiqué of 28 March 2007 to respect their commitments and implement fully all aspects of those agreements without delay; and calls upon those parties that have not signed the Darfur Peace Agreement to do so without delay and not to act in any way that would impede the implementation of the Agreement;

“5.   Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance in UNMIS with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action, including predeployment accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel;

”6.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

Background

The Security Council had before it the Secretary-General’s report on the Sudan (document S/2007/213), in which he recommends the extension of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) for six months.  He states that the parties continued to make some, albeit limited, progress in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including steps towards the redeployment of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) from Southern Sudan.  Now, the implementation of the Agreement has reached a delicate stage, at which “either the point of departure or the destination could easily be lost”.  Two critical reference points during the current phase of the interim period include full and verified redeployment of forces in 2007 and the holding of free and fair midterm elections in 2009.  In addition, the ongoing conflict in Darfur remains a source of disagreement between the parties and has diverted the attention of the international community.

Until now, states the report, UNMIS has focused much of its attention and resources on assisting the parties in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, as well as on monitoring and observing the ceasefire.  Although the parties have yet to agree on a shared strategic approach to security, including the development of Joint Integrated Units, they have, so far, acted to de-escalate tensions on the ground.  The process of cooperation will need to intensify as the two armed forces approach the larger strategic challenge of complete redeployment.  With the assistance of the United Nations, the parties must now devote considerable attention to verification of the process.  If and when disagreements emerge, they will need to be resolved through pertinent institutions without compromising the integrity of the process.

While the main responsibility for the completion of the security protocol lies with the two parties, they will require full engagement and support of the international community.  Financial and other assistance from donors will be especially needed in the areas of Joint Integrated Unit development; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programming; and community security, based on meaningful security sector reform.

In preparing for the elections in 2009, the immediate focus should be on the long overdue enactment of the elections law, to be followed by the prompt establishment of an independent national election commission, the Secretary-General continues.  It is imperative that the National Constitutional Review Commission continue to drive the drafting process for those bills, based on broad consultations.  Other important election prerequisites are an agreement on the boundaries of Abyei and the 1 January 1956 border, the organization of a census and the repatriation of displaced persons.  Time has also come for tangible progress to be made on lifting restrictions on political opposition and civil society, and in bringing the police and security services in line with the requirements of the country’s Interim Constitution.  In this connection, the Secretary-General regrets that the national human rights commission has not yet been established and urges the Government to do this quickly.

In considering the future of the Sudan, the Secretary-General urges the Security Council to pursue an integrated approach in which an international strategy for peace in Darfur is reinforcing the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.  The paramount goal for international complementary efforts in the areas of security, political and humanitarian assistance must be to stabilize Darfur sufficiently so that its residents are able to participate in the 2009 elections along with the rest of the country.  Sustained attention is also required for post-conflict recovery and development.

The Secretary-General also reports that, in January, UNMIS began transferring personnel and equipment to the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) under the “light support package” of assistance.  As of 10 April, 37 military staff officers were deployed (of 105 foreseen in the Agreement), as were 32 police advisers (of 33) and 23 civilian staff (of 48 projected).  The deployment of an additional 19 military and 19 civilian personnel is pending.  There is also an outstanding requirement for contributions from Member States of 44 staff officers and 36 armoured personnel carriers.  The major barrier to the full implementation of the light support package remains the lack of security in the face of inadequate infrastructure in Darfur.

The agreement on the heavy support package for AMIS was finalized in April, with the exception of tactical/armed helicopters.  Subsequent to a 12 April Security Council briefing on the outcome of the Addis Ababa meeting on the matter, the Permanent Mission of the Sudan to the United Nations, in a note verbale to the Secretary-General dated 16 April, confirmed the Government’s approval of the helicopter component of the heavy support package.  Following Security Council authorization of the deployment of the package, appropriate steps will be taken to seek the commitment authority required to cover its cost, which is estimated at $287.9 million.

With regard to the African Union-United Nations hybrid operation, the agreed terms of reference for the joint special representative and a framework containing agreed principles for taking forward the preparations for the hybrid operation were communicated to the Sudanese President in identical letters by the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union on 6 March.  From 19 to 26 March in Addis Ababa, African Union and United Nations multidisciplinary teams conducted joint planning for the hybrid operation in Darfur.

Simultaneously, UNMIS stepped up its engagement in efforts to reinvigorate the political process in Darfur in line with decisions taken at high-level consultations held in Addis Ababa on 16 November 2006 and later confirmed by both the Security Council and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.  The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Darfur, Jan Eliasson, and the African Union Special Envoy, Salim Ahmed Salim, conducted two joint missions to the Sudan, meeting with all major stakeholders, and are developing a road map for the peace process in order to address the outstanding concerns raised by the non-signatories.

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For information media • not an official record