Security Council Press Statement on Sudan

 

The following Security Council press statement was read out today by Council President Ertuğrul Apakan (Turkey):

The members of the Security Council received a briefing from Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Alain Le Roy on 15 September, on the status of preparations for Sudan’s upcoming referenda.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the briefing and recognized that Sudan is in a critical period as it prepares for historic referenda in Abyei and Southern Sudan.  Council members underlined their appreciation for the support that the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) is providing to assist the parties, especially noting that fewer than four months remain.

The members of the Security Council called for the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to take urgent action to facilitate peaceful and on-time referenda that reflect the will of the Sudanese people, to respect their results, and to resolve key remaining post-referenda issues.

The members of the Security Council look to the Secretary-General’s 24 September high-level meeting to focus international attention and support on Sudan during this time.  They also welcomed the Secretary-General’s intent to create a referenda monitoring panel, in response to a joint request by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, and requested that all parties provide full assistance to the panel once formed.

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For information media • not an official record