Security Council

5996^th Meeting (PM)

IN UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION 1841 (2008) SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE

OF ARMS EMBARGO PANEL IN DARFUR REGION BY ONE YEAR

Demanding that parties in the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan cease all military action, the Security Council today extended for one year the mandate of the Panel of Experts appointed to monitor the arms embargo there.

Acting under the binding Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1841 (2008), deciding to extend until 15 October 2009 the mandate of the four-member Panel originally appointed through resolution 1591 (2005).

By the text, the Council requested the Panel to issue three reports during the year.  It also requested that the panel coordinate its activities with the United Nations–African Union hybrid peacekeeping force, known as UNAMID, as well as with international efforts to reach a political settlement in the conflict, in which at least 200,000 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.

In its recent reports, the Panel noted violations of resolutions by rebels, militias and the Government, and said that the Government had used white aircraft in offensive overflights in Darfur, including in at least one instance a plane with “UN” markings.  In the preamble of today’s resolution, the Council demanded that such practices cease.

In the resolutions that set up the sanctions, the Council called for all States to act to prevent the sale or supply of military equipment to belligerents and to inform the sanctions committee about individuals who impede the peace process, violate international law or are responsible for offensive military overflights.

The meeting began at 4:10 p.m. and ended at 4:12 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1841 (2008) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Sudan, in particular resolutions 1828 (2008) of 31 July 2008, 1779 (2007) of 28 September 2007, 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,

“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,

“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 the importance of promoting a political process to restore peace and stability in Darfur, and strongly urging those parties who have not yet agreed to participate in negotiations to do so immediately and all parties to the conflict to engage fully and constructively in the process and to cooperate with African Union-United Nations Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé,

“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 nor the use in Darfur, by any party to the conflict, of white aircraft or aircraft with markings resembling those on United Nations aircraft, and demanding that the parties to the conflict exercise restraint and cease military action,

“Commending the efforts of, and reiterating its full support for, the joint African Union-United Nations chief mediator of the African Union, the United Nations Secretary-General, the League of Arab States, and the leaders of the region to promote peace and stability in Darfur, looking forward to the full and rapid deployment of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), and expressing strong support for the political process under the African Union-United Nations-led mediation,

“Recalling the 27 May 2008 midterm report 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), 1713 (2006) and 1779 (2007), and taking note of the Panel’s final report (S/2008/647, annex), 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,

“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 2009 the mandate of the current Panel of Experts, originally appointed pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) and previously extended by resolutions 1651 (2005), 1665 (2006), 1713 (2006) and 1779 (2007), and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures;

“2.   Requests the Panel of Experts to provide no later than 29 March 2009 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 findings and recommendations;

“3.   Requests the Panel of Experts to coordinate its activities as appropriate with the operations of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), and with international efforts to promote the political process in Darfur, and 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, threats to stability in Darfur and the region and other violations of the above-mentioned resolutions;

“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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For information media • not an official record