The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 371^st meeting, held on 25 April 2013, in Addis Ababa, considered the Report of the Field Mission undertaken by the Council to Darfur, in the Sudan, from 17 to 19 March 2013, and adopted the following decision:

Council,

 

1. Takes note of the Report PSC/PR/2(CCCLXXI) of the PSC field mission to Darfur, in the Sudan, undertaken from 17 to 19 March 2013;

 

1. Notes that relative peace and calm prevail throughout Darfur, with the exception of few areas that are occasionally affected by confrontations between Government forces and armed rebel movements and incidents of inter-tribal clashes over access to resources such as water, pasture, gold and others;

 

1. Commends the United Nations/African Mission in the Darfur (UNAMID)  for its contribution to the transformation of the situation in Darfur towards peace and security, as well as for the major gains recorded in the protection of civilians and the facilitation of peace negotiations;

 

1. Further commends UNAMID for providing support towards reconstruction and development in Darfur through the launching of quick impact projects, provision of essential services, including delivery of water and logistics for moving educational materials to schools, awarding contracts to local companies and business groups and erecting structures that will support local communities in the post-conflict era;

 

1. Expresses deep concern that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) live in difficult social and economic conditions, with limited access to services and with no reliable livelihoods. Council further expresses concern that children are the most affected by the difficult conditions in the IDPs camps, with some of them not going to school;

 

1. Council acknowledges that women, children and other vulnerable groups are more adversely affected by the protracted conflict in Darfur. In this regard, Council urges the Government of Sudan to take effective measures for the protection of these social groups and the promotion of their interests;

 

1. Reiterates that the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) is the only framework for achieving lasting peace in Darfur.  In this regard, Council calls on those armed movements, that have not yet done so, to urgently join, without pre-conditions, the DDPD peace process;

 

1. Welcomes the commitment of the Government of Sudan to facilitate the expeditious issuance of visa to UNAMID personnel and timely clearance of UNAMID equipment and material, and in this regard, urges the Government to honor this commitment to enable UNAMID to effectively carry out its mandate;

 

1. Urges the Government of the Sudan and UNAMID to closely coordinate their efforts in order to ensure that IDPs have access to essential services and in this regard, particular attention should be paid to the needs of women, children and other vulnerable groups. Council further urges regional administrations in Darfur and UNAMID to enhance coordination and cooperation between them with a view to providing enhanced support to the peace efforts in Darfur;

1. Encourages the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan to fully implement the agreements that they have signed, as that would help in adding momentum to the peace efforts in Darfur;

1. Encourages AU Member States to make contributions towards reconstruction and development in Darfur, within the framework of the African Solidarity Initiative;

1. Appeals to the international community and humanitarian agencies to continue providing the much–needed assistance to the IDPs in Darfur;

1.  Requests the Commission to take necessary steps to ensure that there is regular interaction, including briefings to Council by UNAMID every 90 days, on the situation in Darfur;

1. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

 

COMMENTS