Security Council

5891^st Meeting (PM)

Security Council strongly condemns 10 May attacks against sudan’s government

By justice and equality movement

 

Presidential Statement Urges Immediate Halt to Violence,

Warns That No Retaliatory Action Should Be Taken against Civilian Population

Strongly condemning the 10 May attacks by Darfur rebels against the Sudanese Government on the outskirts of the country’s capital Khartoum, the Security Council this afternoon urged restraint on all sides and warned against any retaliatory action that affected civilian populations or regional stability.

In a statement read out by John Sawers of the United Kingdom, which holds the May presidency of the 15-member body, the Council said that the attacks in question were perpetrated by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in the Omdurman area.

It urged all parties to cease violence, respect their obligations under humanitarian law and to commit themselves to a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues through political processes.  It also called upon all States in the region to cooperate in ending the activities of armed groups and their attempts to seize power by force.

The Council meeting opened at 3:08 p.m. and adjourned at 3:13 p.m.

The full text of document S/PRST/2008/15 reads as follows:

“The Security Council strongly condemns the attacks of 10 May perpetrated by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) against the Sudanese Government in Omdurman, and urges all parties to cease violence immediately, respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and commit to a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues.

“The Security Council urges restraint by all parties, and in particular, warns that no retaliatory action should be taken against civilian populations, or that has an impact on stability in the region.

“The Security Council reiterates the urgent need for all parties to engage fully and constructively in the political process.  The Security Council calls upon the States of the region to implement their commitments under the Dakar Accord, and to cooperate with a view to putting an end to the activities of armed groups and their attempts to seize power by force.

“The Security Council strongly condemns all attempts at destabilization by force, and reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan.”

* *** *

For information media • not an official record