Security Council

5768^th Meeting (Night)

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT CALLS FOR CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

IN DARFUR AS WEEKEND PEACE TALKS DATE APPROACHES

Calling on all parties in Sudan’s Darfur region to participate fully in upcoming peace talks, the Security Council this evening urged them, as a first step, to put in place a cessation of hostilities to be overseen by the United Nations and the African Union.

In a statement read out by Leslie Kojo Christian of Ghana, its President for October, the Council underlined its willingness to take action against any party that sought to undermine the peace process by failing to respect such a cessation of hostilities or by impeding the talks planned for 27 October in Libya, peacekeeping or humanitarian aid.

Expressing its deep concern over delays in deploying the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), the Council called on Member States to make available the aviation and ground transport units still required, and on all parties to facilitate and expedite the deployment.

Concerned also over the continuing deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the region, the Council urged all parties to exercise restraint.

The meeting began at 6:35 p.m. and adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2007/41 reads as follows:

“The Security Council stresses the urgent need for an inclusive and sustainable political settlement in Darfur and strongly welcomes, in this regard, the convening of peace talks on 27 October in Sirte, under the leadership of United Nations Special Envoy Jan Eliasson and African Union Special Envoy Salim Ahmed Salim, who have the Council’s full support.

“The Security Council expresses its strong concern at the continuing deterioration in the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur, and urges all parties to exercise restraint immediately, avoiding retaliation and escalation.

“The Security Council calls on all parties to attend and to engage fully and constructively in the talks and, as a first step, to urgently agree and implement a cessation of hostilities to be overseen by the United Nations and the African Union.  The Council underlines its willingness to take action against any party that seeks to undermine the peace process, including by failing to respect such a cessation of hostilities or by impeding the talks, peacekeeping or humanitarian aid.  The Council also recognizes that due process must take its course.

“The Security Council underlines that an inclusive political settlement and the successful deployment of UNAMID are essential for re-establishing peace and stability in Darfur.  The Council expresses its deep concern at the delays in deploying UNAMID.  The Council calls, in this regard, for Member States to urgently make available the aviation and ground transport units still required for UNAMID, and for all parties to facilitate and expedite UNAMID’s effective deployment.

“The Security Council requests the Secretary General, in his regular 30-day reports to the Council on UNAMID, to also report on progress being made on, and any obstacles to, the political process and the situation on the ground.”

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For information media • not an official record