Security Council

5818^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY CONDEMNS SUDANESE ARMED FORCES ATTACK ON SUPPLY CONVOY

OF AFRICAN UNION-UNITED NATIONS HYBRID OPERATION IN DARFUR

 

In Presidential Statement, Members Welcome Government’s

Commitment to Investigate; Demand that all Parties Cooperate with Deployment

Condemning in the “strongest possible terms” the 7 January attack by elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces on a clearly marked supply convoy of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the Security Council stressed this afternoon that any attack on or threat against the fledgling mission was unacceptable.

In a statement read out by Giadalla A. Ettalhi ( Libya), its President for January, the Council welcomed the Sudanese Government’s commitment to undertake a complete and full investigation into the incident, together with the United Nations and the African Union, and demanded that “there will be no further recurrence of the attacks on UNAMID”.  Council members urged the Sudanese Government and all armed groups to respect “an immediate and complete ceasefire” and demanded that all parties cooperate fully with the deployment of UNAMID and respect its security and freedom of movement.

While “recognizing that due processes must take their course”, the Council expressed its readiness to take action against all parties impeding the peace process, humanitarian aid or the deployment of UNAMID.  It also expressed concern at the deterioration of security and humanitarian conditions in Darfur and called upon the United Nations and all Member States to facilitate the rapid and complete deployment of the operation.  The Council urged capable Member States to contribute the helicopter and transportation units necessary to ensure UNAMID’s success.

Reiterating that an inclusive political settlement and the successful deployment of UNAMID were essential for the re-establishment of peace, security and stability in Darfur, Council members urged all parties, including rebel groups, to engage fully and constructively in the political process under the leadership of United Nations Special Envoy Jan Eliasson and African Union Special Envoy Salim Ahmed Salim, who both had the Council’s firm support.

The meeting began at 5:10 p.m. and ended at 5:15 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2008/1 reads as follows:

“The Security Council condemns in the strongest possible terms the 7 January attack by elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces, as confirmed by the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), on a UNAMID supply convoy.  The Security Council stresses that any attack on or threat against UNAMID is unacceptable, and demands that there will be no recurrence of attacks on UNAMID.  The Security Council welcomes the commitment of the Government of the Sudan to undertake a complete and full investigation into the incident, together with the United Nations and the African Union.

“The Security Council welcomes the transition of authority from the African Union peacekeeping operation (AMIS) to UNAMID, which occurred on 31 December.  The Security Council commends AMIS for its prompt action to begin to re-establish peace and security in Darfur.

“The Council calls on the Government of the Sudan to expedite full compliance with Security Council resolution 1769 (2007), including through concluding all the necessary arrangements for the expeditious deployment of an effective UNAMID force.

“The Council further urges the Government of the Sudan and all armed groups to respect an immediate and complete ceasefire and demands that all parties cooperate fully with the deployment of UNAMID and respect its security and freedom of movement.

“The Security Council reiterates that an inclusive political settlement and the successful deployment of UNAMID are essential for re-establishing peace and stability in Darfur.  The Security Council urges all parties, including rebel groups, to engage fully and constructively in the political process 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 readiness to take action against any party that impedes the peace process, humanitarian aid or the deployment of UNAMID.  The Council also recognizes that due processes must take their course.

“The Council expresses concern about the deterioration of security and humanitarian conditions in Darfur and calls upon the United Nations and all Member States to facilitate the rapid and complete deployment of UNAMID.  The Council urges capable Member States to contribute the helicopter and transportation units necessary to ensure the successful implementation of UNAMID’s mandate.”

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For information media • not an official record