Security Council

6175^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO AUTHORIZE MANDATE EXTENSION

FOR AFRICAN UNION-UNITED NATIONS HYBRID OPERATION IN DARFUR

 

The Security Council voted unanimously this morning to extend the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for one year, demanding that parties to the conflict in the western Sudanese province immediately put an end to the violence, including attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel.

Adopting resolution 1881 (2009), the Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to commit to a sustained and permanent ceasefire.  Requesting the Secretary-General to consult with the parties with a view to developing a more effective ceasefire-monitoring mechanism, it also underlined the need for UNAMID to report on instances of violence that could undermine peace efforts.

The Council reiterated that there could be no military solution to the conflict in Darfur, and that “an inclusive political settlement and the successful deployment of UNAMID are essential to re-establishing peace”.  Attacks or threats against UNAMID were unacceptable, it added, reiterating its condemnation of previous attacks by armed groups and demanding that such attacks not recur.

Improvements in the Government of Sudan’s cooperation with UNAMID was welcomed, but the Council also called on that Government to comply with the status of forces agreement -- reached in 2008 with UNAMID -- particularly on the provision of visas for mission personnel and of flight and equipment clearances.

To measure and track UNAMID’s progress, the Council requested the Secretary-General submit for its consideration a strategic workplan with benchmarks.  He was further requested to include, in his next report, an assessment of progress against those benchmarks, and any recommendations on the Operation’s mandate and configuration.

As part of that report, the Secretary-General would be called on to discuss the situation of children, reflecting his continued monitoring of the dialogue with parties to the conflict on a time-bound action plan to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers and other violations of international humanitarian law against children.

Noting that conflict in one area of Sudan affected other areas, as well as the wider region, the Council called on Sudan to abide by agreements made with Chad, such as the Doha Agreement of 3 May and the Dakar Agreement of 13 March.  It reaffirmed the need for both countries to engage constructively with a view to normalizing relations, which would involve ceasing support for armed groups, strengthening actions to combat armed trafficking in the region, establishing effective joint border monitoring and diplomatic cooperation to establish peace and stability.

In that context, the Council called on UNAMID to coordinate closely with other United Nations missions in the region, including the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT).

The Council reaffirmed its full support for the African Union-United Nations-led political process for Darfur and the work of Joint Chief Mediator Djibrill Yipènè Bassolé.

Following the unanimous vote, the Permanent Representative of Uganda thanked other Council members for their show of support during his country’s presidency.  He said it was a “bittersweet” moment, noting that States had “accomplished what they could”, but a lot more could be done.

The meeting began at 10:25 a.m. and ended at 10:30 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1881 (2009) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and presidential statements concerning the situation in Sudan,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan and its determination to work with the Government of Sudan, in full respect of its sovereignty, to assist in tackling the various challenges in Sudan,

“Recalling also its previous resolutions 1674 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, which reaffirms, inter alia, the relevant provisions of the United Nations World Summit outcome document, 1612 (2005) on children in armed conflict, 1502 (2003) on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, and 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women, peace and security,

“Taking note of the report on Children in Armed Conflict in Sudan dated 10 February 2009 (S/2009/84), including his recommendations, and the report on Children in Armed Conflict in the Sudan (S/2007/520) dated 29 August 2007, and recalling the conclusions endorsed by the Security Council Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict in Sudan (S/AC.51/2008/7),

“Welcoming the important role of the African Union,

“Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 14 July (S/2009/357) on the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID),

“Stressing the need for the Council to pursue a rigorous, strategic approach to peacekeeping deployments,

“Expressing concern, two years after the adoption of resolution 1769 (2007), at the continued seriousness of the security situation and deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Darfur, and at the recurring attacks on the civilian population, reiterating its condemnation of all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Darfur, calling on all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, emphasizing the need to bring to justice the perpetrators of such crimes and urging the Government of Sudan to comply with its obligations in this respect,

“Reaffirming its concern over the negative affect of the ongoing violence in Darfur on the stability of Sudan as a whole as well as the region, noting with concern the negative effect of ongoing tensions between the Governments of Sudan and Chad, reiterating that a reduction in these tensions and rebel activity in both countries must be addressed to achieve long-term peace in Darfur and in the region, and encouraging Sudan and Chad to engage constructively with the Dakar Contact Group and the international community,

“Expressing its strong commitment and determination to promote and support the political process in Darfur, and the efforts of the Chief Mediator, and deploring the fact that some groups continue to refuse to join the political process,

“Determining that the situation in Sudan constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

“1.   Decides to extend the mandate of UNAMID as set out in resolution 1769 (2007) for a further 12 months to 31 July 2010;

“2.   Underlines the need for UNAMID to make full use of its mandate and capabilities, particularly with regard to (a) the protection of civilians across Darfur, and (b) ensuring safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access, the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and the protection of humanitarian convoys;

“3.   Commends the contribution of troop- and police-contributing countries and donors to UNAMID; calls on United Nations Member States to pledge and contribute the remaining helicopter, aerial reconnaissance, ground transport, medical and logistical units and other force enablers required; underlines the need for capable battalions effectively able to carry out UNAMID’s mandated tasks; in this regard requests the continuing assistance of donors in ensuring battalions are suitably trained and equipped; and further requests UNAMID to examine how it could maximize the use of its capabilities in Darfur;

“4.   Welcomes the improvement in the Government of Sudan’s cooperation with UNAMID, commends the credible work of the Tripartite Commission, calls on all parties in Darfur to remove all obstacles to the full and expeditious deployment of UNAMID and the proper discharge of its mandate, including by ensuring its security and freedom of movement; and in this regard calls on the Government of Sudan to comply with the Status of Forces Agreement fully and without delay, particularly the timely provision of visas for UNAMID personnel and of flight and equipment clearances;

“5.   Reiterates its condemnation of previous attacks on UNAMID by armed groups; underlines that any attack or threat on UNAMID is unacceptable; demands that there be no recurrence of such attacks; and stresses the need to enhance the safety and security of UNAMID personnel;

“6.   Stresses the importance of achievable and realistic targets against which the progress of United Nations peacekeeping operations can be measured; and in this regard requests the Secretary-General, following consultations with the African Union, to:

(a)   submit, for the Council’s consideration, a strategic workplan containing benchmarks to measure and track progress being made by UNAMID in implementing its mandate,

(b)   include in his next report an assessment of progress made against these benchmarks, as well as consequent recommendations regarding UNAMID’s mandate and configuration, and

(c)   report to the Council every 90 days thereafter on progress made towards implementing UNAMID’s mandate across Darfur, as well as on progress on the political process, on the security and humanitarian situation and on all parties compliance with their international obligations;

“7.   Demands that all parties to the conflict in Darfur immediately end violence, attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel, and comply with their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law; calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to commit themselves to a sustained and permanent ceasefire; requests the Secretary-General to consult with relevant parties with a view to developing a more effective ceasefire monitoring mechanism; and underlines the need for UNAMID to report on major instances of violence which undermines the parties’ full and constructive efforts towards peace;

“8.   Reiterates there can be no military solution to the conflict in Darfur and that an inclusive political settlement and the successful deployment of UNAMID are essential to re-establishing peace; reaffirms its full support for the African Union/United Nations led political process for Darfur and the work of Joint Chief Mediator Mr. Djibrill Yipènè Bassolé; demands that all parties to the conflict, including all rebel groups, immediately engage fully and constructively in the peace process without preconditions, including by entering into talks under the mediation of Mr. Bassolé with a view to finalizing a Framework Agreement; welcomes the work of Qatar and Libya in this regard and the support of other countries in the region; calls on UNAMID to support the Joint Chief Mediator and the Joint Mediation Team; and underlines the need for the engagement of civil society, including women and women-led organizations, community groups and tribal leaders in order to create a conducive environment for peace and security through constructive and open dialogue;

“9.   Calls on Sudan and Chad to abide by their obligations under the Doha Agreement of 3 May 2009, the Dakar Agreement of 13 March 2008, and previous bilateral agreements; and reaffirms the need for both countries to engage constructively with the Dakar Contact Group with a view to normalizing relations, ceasing support for armed groups, strengthening actions to combat armed trafficking in the region, the establishment of effective joint border monitoring, and cooperating through diplomatic means to establish peace and stability in Darfur and the wider region;

“10.  Notes that conflict in one area of Sudan affects other areas of Sudan and the wider region; and urges UNAMID to coordinate closely with other United Nations missions in the region, including the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT);

“11.  Requests UNAMID, consistent with its current capabilities and mandate, to assist and complement UNMIS efforts in preparing for credible national elections through the provision of advice and assistance where required;

“12.  Expresses its serious concern at the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Darfur, calls for the full implementation of the Communiqué between the Government of Sudan and the United Nations on Facilitation of Humanitarian Activities in Darfur; and demands that the Government of Sudan, all militias, armed groups and all other stakeholders ensure the full, safe and unhindered access of humanitarian organizations and relief personnel and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to populations in need;

“13.  Demands that all parties to the conflict in Darfur create the conditions conducive to allowing the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons;

“14.  Demands that the parties to the conflict immediately take appropriate measures to protect civilians, including women and children, from all forms of sexual violence, in line with resolution 1820 (2008); and requests the Secretary-General to develop a comprehensive strategy for providing protection to women and girls from sexual violence and gender-based violence and to ensure that the relevant provisions of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) are implemented by UNAMID and to include information on this in his reporting to the Council;

“15.  Requests the Secretary-General to ensure (a) continued monitoring and reporting, as part of the reports referred to in paragraph 6 above, of the situation of children and (b) continued dialogue with the parties to the conflict towards the preparation of time bound action plans to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers and other violations of international humanitarian law against children;

“16.  Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record