The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 529^th meeting held on 31 July 2015, adopted the following decision on the situation in Darfur:

Council,

1.    Takes note of the briefing by the Acting Joint Special Representative for the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on the situation in Darfur and the activities of UNAMID. Council further takes note of the statements made by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sudan;

2.    Recalls its previous communiqués and press statements on the situation in Darfur, in particular, press statement PSC/PR/BR.(CDXCIV) adopted at its 494th meeting held on 26 March 2015,  communiqués  PSC/PR/COMM.(DXVI) and PSC/PR/COMM.(CDLVI), PSC/AHG/ COMM/1.(CCCLIII), adopted at its 516th, 456th and 353rd, meetings held on 22 June 2015, 12 September 2014 and 25 January 2013, respectively;

3.    Reiterates its full support to the efforts of the African Union High level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) in the coordination of the various mediation tracks in Sudan and commends its members, namely former Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Pierre Buyoya, as well as the Support Team, for their persistent engagement with, and support to, the efforts of the Government and people of Sudan. Council urges the Sudanese stakeholders to extend full cooperation to the AUHIP;

4.    Expresses concern over the continued armed conflict in Darfur, which constitute threat to peace, not only in Sudan, but to the neighbouring countries, and stresses the need for the parties to demonstrate renewed commitment towards, in order to facilitate the political process;

5.    Reiterates its appreciation to the UNAMID leadership, in particular the Acting Joint Special Representative, the Force Commander and the Police Commissioner, as well as to the Mission’s personnel for their dedication and contribution to the promotion of peace, security, stability and reconciliation in the Darfur. Council notes with satisfaction the progress made in the implementation of UNAMID’s mandate, particularly with respect to the protection of civilians and welcomes the extension of the mandate of UNAMID until 30 June 2016, as set out in the communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(DXVI) and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2228 (2015);

6.    Condemns the continuing intermittent fighting between the Government of Sudan and the Darfur armed movements, in particular in Central Darfur resulting in continued displacement of civilian population. Expresses concern at the prevailing humanitarian situation in Darfur, including the significant increase in the number of internally displaced persons. Council requests all parties in Darfur to facilitate the work of the humanitarian agencies to ensure their security and guarantee unimpeded access to the populations in need. Council appeals for renewed international efforts to mobilise additional resources and capacities to meet the humanitarian needs on the ground;




7.    Calls on all parties in the Darfur conflict to stop fighting and resume peace talks and, in that context, welcomes and encourages the efforts and the initiatives of the Acting Joint Special Representative to engage both the Government of Sudan and the armed movements in support of the AUHIP Mediation, aimed at an early resumption of direct talks between the Government of Sudan and armed movements. In this connection, Council welcomes the commitment by the Government of Sudan to resume talks with the armed groups in Darfur without any condition;

8.    Regrets the loss of life in the resurgence of the tribal clashes in South Darfur and West Darfur States. In this regard, Council commends the efforts of the Government of Sudan to maintain the peace by deploying forces between some of the warring tribes, as well as UNAMID for its support for reconciliation of communities in implementation of its mandate;

9.    Commends UNAMID troop-and police-contributing countries for contributing towards peace and stability in Darfur. In this context, Council condemns in the strongest terms all attacks targeting peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel and calls for independent investigation to these attacks;

10.    Calls on the AU, the UN and the Government of Sudan to undertake further consultations at a higher political level to draw up the appropriate steps, process, and format of moving forward on the process of formulating an appropriate exit strategy for UNAMID on the basis of the PSC and UNSC benchmarks, pursuant to Council's communiqué of 22 June 2015 and UN Security Council Resolution 2228 on the development of an exit strategy for UNAMID;

11.    Reaffirms its support for the National Dialogue as an authentic, transparent, inclusive and fair process initiated and owned by the people of Sudan, in order to bring about lasting peace across Sudan and calls upon all Sudanese stakeholders to work towards its successful implementation. In this regard, Council looks forward to receiving the report of the AUHIP on the consultation with the Sudanese stakeholders on the National Dialogue;

12.    Agrees to undertake a field visit in Darfur, to assess the situation on the ground with a view to take appropriate decisions that could further contribute towards enhancing the security and humanitarian situation, as well as to the efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and reconciliation in Darfur;

13.    Decides to remain seized of the matters.

COMMENTS