Security Council

5750^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council adopts resolution 1779 (2007) to extend mandate

of expert panel monitoring weapons ban on darfur

 

Noting with strong concern the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the strife-torn Darfur region of the Sudan, the Security Council today extended for one year the mandate of the Panel of Experts appointed to monitor the arms embargo there.

Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council, unanimously adopted resolution 1779 (2007), deciding to extend until 15 October 2008 the mandate of the four-member Panel originally appointed pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005).

The Council also requested the Panel to issue a midterm briefing on its work by 29 March 2008, a separate interim report in 90 days’ time, and a final report no later than 30 days prior to the termination of its mandate.

According to the original resolution, the Council decided that all States would take the necessary measures to prevent the sale or supply of weapons and military equipment to belligerents in the Darfur conflict, in which at least 400,000 people have been killed and some 2 million displaced since fighting broke out in early 2003, pitting rebels against the Sudanese Government and its allied militias.

The meeting began at 10:10 a.m. and ended at 10:13 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1779 (2007) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Sudan, in particular resolutions 1769 (2007) of 31 July 2007, 1713 (2006) of 29 September 2006, 1672 (2006) of 25 April 2006, 1665 (2006) of 29 March 2006, 1651 (2005) of 21 December 2005, 1591 (2005) of 29 March 2005, and 1556 (2004) of 30 July 2004 and statements of its President concerning Sudan,

“Stressing again its firm commitment to the cause of peace throughout Sudan, full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 9 January 2005, full implementation of the framework agreed between the parties for a resolution of the conflict in Darfur (the Darfur Peace Agreement), and an end to the violence and atrocities in Darfur,

“Reiterating its belief in the basis provided by the Darfur Peace Agreement for a lasting political solution and sustained security in Darfur, deploring that the Agreement has not been fully implemented by the signatories and not signed by all parties to the conflict in Darfur.

“Noting with strong concern the ongoing violence, impunity, and consequent deterioration of the humanitarian situation, and reiterating its deep concern about the security of civilians and humanitarian aid workers and about humanitarian access to populations in need, and calling upon all parties in Darfur to cease offensive actions immediately and to refrain from further violent attacks,

“Demanding that there should be no aerial bombings and the use of United Nations markings on aircraft used in such attacks, strongly urging those parties who have not yet agreed to participate in negotiations on 27 October 2007 in Libya under AU/UN mediation to do so at once, and demanding that the parties to the conflict exercise restraint and cease military action in order to create a positive atmosphere for these negotiations,

“Commending the efforts of, and reiterating its full support for, the African Union, the Secretary-General, their special envoys, and the leaders of the region to promote peace and stability in Darfur, looking forward to the rapid deployment of the AU/UN Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID), and expressing strong support for the political process under AU/UN mediation,

“Recalling the 13 April 2007 midterm briefing by the Panel of Experts appointed by the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 3 (b) of resolution 1591 (2005) and extended by resolutions 1651 (2005), 1665 (2006), and 1713 (2006), and taking note of the Panel’s final report presented to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) and currently under consideration, and expressing its intent to study the Panel’s recommendations further and to consider appropriate next steps,

“Emphasizing the need to respect the provisions of the Charter concerning privileges and immunities, and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, as applicable to United Nations operations and persons engaged in such operations,

“Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan, and recalling the importance of the principles of good neighbourliness, non-interference and cooperation in the relations among States in the region,

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

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Decides to extend until 15 October 2008 the mandate of the current Panel of Experts, originally appointed pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) and previously extended by resolutions 1651 (2005), 1665 (2006), and 1713 (2006) and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures;

“2.   Requests the Panel of Experts to provide no later than 29 March 2008 a midterm briefing on its work and no later than 90 days after adoption of this resolution an interim report to the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 3 (a) of resolution 1591 (2005) and a final report no later than 30 days prior to termination of its mandate to the Council with its finding and recommendations;

“3.   Requests the Panel of Experts to coordinate its activities as appropriate with the operations of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) which will succeed it, and with international efforts to promote the political process in Darfur, and, in this context, further requests the Panel to assess in its interim and final reports progress towards reducing violations by all parties of the measures imposed by paragraphs 7 and 8 of resolution 1556 (2004) and paragraph 7 of resolution 1591 (2005), and progress towards reducing impediments to the political process;

“4.   Urges all States, relevant United Nations bodies, the African Union and other interested parties, to cooperate fully with the Committee and the Panel of Experts, in particular by supplying any information at their disposal on implementation of the measures imposed by resolution 1591 (2005) and resolution 1556 (2004);

“5.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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