Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoSecurity Council
8252nd Security Council Meeting: Reports of Secretary-General on Sudan and South Sudan
The ongoing reconfiguration of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) was having no adverse impact on security, although efforts towards a political solution to the conflict remained stalled, the Head of that Mission told the Security Council this morning as he presented the Secretary-General’s latest 60-day report on the situation there.
Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo, who is also the African Union-United Nations Joint Special Representative for Darfur, said implementation of phase two of UNAMID’s reconfiguration — in response to Council resolution 2363 (2017) — was proceeding very well, with no adverse impact on security or the protection of civilians in those areas from which the Mission had withdrawn. Indeed, the overall security situation had remained calm, notwithstanding sporadic clashes between the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW), Government forces and nomads in Jebel Marra.
The peace process remained stalled, he said. It was encouraging, however, that, at a meeting with the Government in Berlin on 16-17 April, the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi (SLA-MM) and the Justice and Equality Movement seemed prone to accept the Doha Document on Peace in Darfur as the basis of negotiation, although they rejected certain proposed mechanisms. With those two groups demonstrating a desire to keep engaging, he said he was in contact with all parties to bridge their differences.
Turning to the humanitarian situation, he said 1.76 million displaced people were registered in approximately 66 camps, with perhaps another 500,000 more living in 108 host communities and settlements in Darfur. Those people had indicated a desire to return to their places of origin, so long as security and basic public services were guaranteed. “For Darfur to be guaranteed of durable peace and development, durable solutions will have to be found for the plight of IDPs,” he said, referring to internally displaced persons.
Concluding, he said UNAMID and the United Nations country team in Sudan had finalized a joint financing approach for sustaining peace in Darfur, which needed support from the international community, including Council members, to succeed. “It is imperative that concerted efforts be exerted towards mobilization of financial resources to consolidate and sustain the prevailing peace and stability of the region,” he said.
In the ensuing debate, Kuwait’s delegate said the improved security situation in Darfur had enabled a reduction in attacks against civilians, better aid delivery and the voluntary return of internally displaced persons. Welcoming the joint mechanism between Sudan and the Arab League for development projects in Darfur, he went on to reaffirm the primacy of a political solution, the key role of the Doha Document and the return of certain factions to the peace forces, as had been seen last month in Berlin.
“The security situation appears to be more stable,” added Equatorial Guinea’s representative, praising the Government’s weapons collection programme and stressing that the focus must be kept on human rights violations. Like other delegates, he voiced concern over slow progress in the peace process and emphasized the need for all parties to commit to implement the Doha Document. He went on to voice support for renewing UNAMID’s mandate in June and suggested that the Council invite Thabo Mbeki, Chair of the African Union High-Level Panel on Darfur, to report on his work.
Sudan’s representative credited the return to stability in his country to his Government’s efforts, the support of the international community — including UNAMID — and the will and desire of Darfuris for peace and security. “The current situation in Darfur speaks for itself,” he said. On implementation of resolution 2363 (2017), he said the decision to draw down and reconfigure UNAMID had been correct, especially with Darfur entering a peacebuilding phase. The Government’s ongoing campaign to collect weapons from civilians was having a positive impact and no effort would be spared to implement it, he said, stressing the importance of partnership with UNAMID and the Joint Representative in that regard.
A political settlement remained the Government’s main objective and it was working hard towards that end, he said. Those armed groups which had refused to sign the Doha Document must be forced to do so and countries with influence must pressure them into engaging in negotiations without preconditions. On sanctions, he said the Council should either remove individuals currently listed or add the name of Abdul Wahid for obstructing the peace process.
Also speaking this morning were representatives of Côte d’Ivoire, Bolivia, Peru and Kazakhstan.
The meeting began at 9:38 a.m. and ended at 10:32 a.m.
