S/PV.6700 Security Council

I would like to thank the members of the Security Council for giving me this opportunity to brief them on the current situation in Darfur and on the implementation of the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). Members will have seen the Secretary-General’s report on UNAMID (S/2011/814) dated 30 December 2011. In that connection, I should like to highlight certain key points pertaining to the political, security and humanitarian situation in Darfur. On the political front, following the progress outlined in the Secretary-General’s report, the parties have moved ahead on power sharing and the implementation of provisions concerning security set out in the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. On 18 December 2011, the President of the Sudan issued a decree appointing Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, Secretary- General of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), as Minister of State for Health. On 27 December, three additional presidential decrees concerning the peace process were issued, which dissolved the transitional regional authority for Darfur and established the Darfur Regional Authority as the main body responsible for the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in cooperation with the Government of the Sudan. The decrees also appoint the members of the Authority’s governing body. The appointments include, among others, seven members of the Liberation and Justice Movement, in accordance with the protocol on political participation. They also include a member of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)-Unity and a member of the Justice and Equality Movement-Peace Wing, which are two signatory organizations to the declaration of commitment to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, a member of the National Congress Party and a division general of the Sudanese Armed Forces as the commissioner in charge of security arrangements. The LJM has accepted those appointments. The next phase should include the establishment of the legislative council, ministries and the departments of the Darfur Regional Authority and the setting of priorities for the implementation of those measures. Yesterday, President Al-Bashir issued three decrees appointing new governors to Darfur States, including appointments for two newly created States. That brings the number of States comprising Darfur to five. The decrees also released certain governors from their duties and appointed a presidential adviser. Decree No. 1 stipulates that the governors of South Darfur and West Darfur, Abdulhameed Musa Kasha and Jaafar Abdulhakam, saw their duties ended. Decree No. 2 appoints new governors ─ Abdulhameed Musa Kasha as Governor of East Darfur, Yousef Tibin Musa Adam for Central Darfur, Hamad Ismail Hamad Abdulkarim for South Darfur and Haider Galo Koma Atim for West Darfur. Lastly, the third decree appoints Mr. Jaafar Abdulhakam presidential adviser. East and Central Darfur are therefore two newly established States. Zalingei, which is the place of origin of the Fur ethnic group, will become the capital of Central Darfur and includes a large part of Jebel Marra. The town Ed Daein, which is home to certain Arab tribes, will become the capital of East Darfur. It is situated in the south-east of that region. All the newly appointed governors belong to the National Congress Party, with the exception of Mr. Haider Galo Koma, appointed to West Darfur, who is a vice- president of the Liberation and Justice Movement. Also yesterday, 10 January, the Sudanese Minister of Justice appointed Mr. Ahmed Abdel- Motalib Ahmed as Public Procurator of the Special Court for Darfur. That appointment is made in accordance with the provisions of the Doha Document on justice and reconciliation. The headquarters of the Public Procurator of that Special Court will be in El Fasher, in North Darfur, with branch offices, if I can call them that, in Nyala and El Geneina. Regarding the implementation of the security provisions of the Doha Document following four meetings of the Ceasefire Commission and the inaugural meeting of the Joint Commission described in the report, the LJM has shared its list of staff for the observer post groups and the teams responsible for the verification of forces. Moreover, that verification is expected to begin in a few days. With regard to the inclusiveness of the peace process since the signing of the Doha Document on 14 July, the Government and the non-signatory movements have not met. There was a window of three months offered by the Government to the parties likely to want to sign the Doha Document, and that window expired in October without any move towards new signatures. As noted in the Secretary-General’s report, the Joint Chief Mediator ad interim continued to put pressure on the Government, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the SLA-Minni Minawi and the SLA-Abdul Wahid for them to resume negotiations. However, a series of disagreements of the scope of the negotiations, appeals by the Sudanese Revolutionary Front and the fact that an alliance had been established among the JEM, SLA-Minni Minawi and SLA-Abdul Wahid with a view to overthrowing the Government led by the National Congress Party all obstructed any resumption of talks. It is known that the leader of the JEM, Khalil Ibrahim, is dead. The consequences of his death for the peace process will in time become clear. However, what can be said at this stage is that his death seems to have reduced the chance of resuming talks between his movement and the Government in the near future. In a statement that it made shortly after Khalil’s death, the JEM vowed to avenge him and declared that it would continue to work to overthrow the Government of the National Congress Party. For its part, the Government of the Sudan called on all armed groups in Darfur to lay down their weapons and to rejoin the peace process on pain of suffering the same fate as Khalil. We believe that the JEM is currently in the process of choosing a successor to him. As the report before the Council points out, the Secretary-General is developing, in close cooperation with the African Union, a road map for peace in Darfur. That road map seeks to give the United Nations and the African Union a framework to jointly facilitate talks among the parties in three key areas: first, support for the implementation of the Doha Document; secondly, sustained engagement with the Government and the non-signatory movements in order to promote negotiations; and thirdly, support for internal dialogue in Darfur. (spoke in English) As noted in the report, while a number of areas in Darfur remain relatively free of military hostilities, clashes between Government and movement forces in areas along the Northern Darfur-Northern Kordofan border, the Southern Darfur-Southern Kordofan border and West Jebel Marra took place during the second half of December. There were no reports of civilian casualties or displacement recorded by UNAMID in relation to those incidents The security situation in Darfur relates not only to military clashes, but also to threats to the physical well-being and freedom of movement of civilians. In that connection, we remain concerned about the incidence of banditry, crime and sexual and gender- based violence, as described in detail in the report. Of particular concern is the situation in the Zam Zam internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp. Following the appointment in late October of a new Central Reserve Police commander at the camp, the security situation there deteriorated. The incidence of shooting at night, looting and harassment of IDPs by Central Reserve Police personnel gradually increased following that appointment. On 29 November, an IDP was shot dead and two were injured by Central Reserve Police. Many of the incidents were reported to Government authorities, including through UNAMID, but one must say that little reaction was observed. UNAMID vigorously engaged state Government officials and repeatedly drew their attention to the reports of misconduct by Central Reserve Police personnel. Following a determined démarche of Government police officials by UNAMID on 18 December, the Central Reserve Police commander was replaced. Tension within the camp has since eased considerably. UNAMID continues to monitor the situation closely, to facilitate weekly coordination meetings among IDP leaders, local security officials and humanitarian agencies, and to work with Government authorities to enhance security in the camp in an appropriate manner. The marked increase in manoeuvres and clashes between Government and movement forces in recent weeks was accompanied by a sharp increase in restrictions of movement imposed on UNAMID by Government authorities. That included restrictions on flights and land patrols in the areas of conflict noted earlier from mid-December to early January. The restrictions were imposed on the basis of ongoing Sudanese Armed Forces operations. The denials of access have severely impeded UNAMID’s ability to implement its mandate and to resupply team sites in affected areas. The Mission has repeatedly called on the Government in an effort to re-establish access. I myself have strongly urged officials of the Government of the Sudan in my meetings with them, starting with my visit to the Sudan in October, to allow UNAMID unhindered access throughout Darfur, emphasizing that UNAMID forces are armed and therefore able to protect themselves against security threats. With regard to other operational issues, I am pleased to inform the Council that all 447 containers that had been at dock in Port Sudan since May 2011 waiting customs clearance were cleared on 9 January. That development comes after repeated démarches of Government officials in Port Sudan and Khartoum by UNAMID. However, the number of outstanding visa requests remains of concern. As of 10 January, the total number of outstanding requests stood at 935 — 467 police, 172 military and 296 civilian personnel. UNAMID continues meeting with Ministry for Foreign Affairs officials on a weekly basis in relation to that issue and has of course repeatedly provided to Government officials, in addition to the initial visa applications submitted, consolidated lists of outstanding requests. With regard to the humanitarian situation, the continued trend of internally displaced persons and refugees voluntarily returning to their homes at a rate of approximately 1,500 people per month was encouraging. The total number of verified voluntary returnees in Darfur from 1 January to 30 October 2011 was more than 85,000, as compared to 70,000 newly displaced. Nevertheless, the World Food Programme provided assistance to some 4 million people in Darfur during the course of 2011. While most parts of Darfur were accessible to humanitarian organizations, with a UNAMID security escort needed outside the main town centres, access to western Jebel Marra was repeatedly denied, and intermittently restricted to the greater Jebel Marra, Shangil Tobaya and Umbaru areas and to the Zam Zam camp. Regarding the safety and security of mission and humanitarian personnel, the attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers that occurred in Zam Zam on 10 October and in Nyala on 6 November, resulting in the death of four peacekeepers and injuries to seven, were of course of serious concern. The Secretary-General has called on the Government to cooperate fully with UNAMID in investigating the incidents and to do all that it can to hold the perpetrators accountable. In addition, we are relieved that an aid worker who had been kidnapped in Nyala on 14 August was released on 16 December. The initial steps taken by the signatory parties in the implementation of the Doha Document provide reason for optimism. The parties should be supported in that regard by the Council, and by the international community more broadly, particularly with the implementation of provisions that bring about tangible improvements to the lives of Darfuris. In addition, there remains a need to bring the Government and the non-signatory movements to the negotiating table. Their long-standing grievances can only be effectively dealt with through peace talks that result in an agreement to cease hostilities and to work together towards peace. We shall continue to work with the African Union towards that end. Furthermore, we will continue to provide protection to civilians, facilitate the delivery of aid and assist voluntary returnees, with a view towards bring relief to the people of Darfur during the search for a comprehensive and lasting settlement to the conflict.

I thank Mr. Ladsous for his briefing. I now give the floor to the representative of South Sudan.

I would like to express my appreciation to the Republic of South Africa for convening this meeting and to you, Madam President, for presiding over the discussion. The Republic of South Sudan is concerned about the security situation in Darfur. We believe that insecurity in any part of our region, including in the Republic of the Sudan, has the potential to affect the security situation in our country. It is our view that the Darfur crisis needs to be resolved through negotiation and a political settlement. We encourage all parties to enter rapidly into political negotiations in a spirit of goodwill and compromise. The Republic of South Sudan notes that the situation in Darfur is not entirely isolated from the other challenges facing the two Sudans. We respectfully invite members of the Council to take the wider political and security context into consideration during its discussions. For example, the ongoing situation in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states could have an effect on the dynamics of the situation in Darfur. We encourage the international community to consider the challenges of the region in a broad manner, as that will be the most effective way to maintain and strengthen peace and security in the long term. The Republic of South Sudan remains fully committed to resolving all outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan in a full and comprehensive manner. We hope that progress made in the negotiations between our two countries might also positively influence the chances for progress in Darfur and in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states, so that all of the peoples of the Sudan can enjoy the lasting and permanent peace that they deserve.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

At the outset, I would like to welcome to this meeting Her Excellency Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister for Foreign Affairs of sisterly South Africa. We are honoured to have her presiding over our deliberations today on the report (S/2011/814) of the Secretary- General on the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). I would also like to take this opportunity to express my warmest congratulations to the representatives of Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo as they join the Security Council as non-permanent members. I would also like to express our thanks to Mr. Hervé Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, for his briefing on the situation in Darfur. I want to thank him in particular for clarifying the significant positive developments that have taken place there. I would like to respond to some of the minor procedural issues he cited, but in general his briefing was positive — indeed promising — in view of the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. Our deliberations today on the report before the Council on UNAMID are taking place as the situation in Darfur is showing stability on the security, humanitarian and development pillars. There have also been significant positive developments, namely, the fact that the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur has entered the implementation phase and that the Darfur transitional authorities have assumed their full authority, with Mr. Tijani Seise of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) taking the oath as the Chair of the Darfur Regional Authority, on 23 October. Many members of the factions named in the Doha Document have been appointed as ministers and State ministers in the central Government and in other posts in the transitional Authority in Darfur, as Mr. Ladsous noted earlier. This is a very promising development that shows that the people of Darfur, who carried arms until recently, are today in control of Darfur, with the exception of a few elements that I will discuss later on. In the past few months, Darfur has witnessed an increase in the number of refugees and internally displaced persons, who have voluntarily begun to return, in the tens of thousands, to their villages. It is clear to all that they have been reassured of the stability of the security situation and that their daily needs in those villages are being met. The Sudanese Government has for example allocated the sum of $600 million, as a foreign component, and 134 million Sudanese pounds, as a local component, to the reconstruction fund for Darfur for resettlement and to ensure stability and a life of dignity for those who return, and also for the implementation of a number of development projects in the region. In that context, we also pay tribute to the tireless efforts made by the Government in rehabilitating model villages for the returnees, a project that involved the provision of solar-generated electricity to 100 villages in Western Darfur and to social clubs, health centres, schools and other types of installations. These provide citizens with modern means of communication, including a number of satellite channels, and with health-care services. That represents a significant qualitative leap in terms of development in Darfur, especially in Western Darfur. Efforts will continue with a view to rehabilitating all the remaining areas. In that context, I should also like to recall that the committee that has been entrusted with the implementation of the Doha Document, under the chairmanship of Qatar, is now preparing for an international conference to be held on 16 January in the city of El-Fasher, the capital of Northern Darfur, as part of efforts to promote development. According to the information I have received, the following countries and entities will participate in the conference, whose theme will be the promotion of stability and development in Darfur: Great Britain, China, Russia, the United States of America, Canada, the African Union, Burkina Faso, Chad, Egypt, the European Union, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and UNAMID. Many other countries are expected to announce their participation in that international conference. That shows that peace has taken root in Darfur. As stated in paragraph 6 of the report before the Council, the Ceasefire Commission, which was instituted in the context of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, has met four times during the period covered by the report. The signatories to the Document have provided the required information on the disposition and locations of their forces, in accordance with the Document. That will allow the ceasefire groups to undertake follow-up and verification exercises; complete the process of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; and integrate LJM combatants into the Sudanese Armed Forces. Let me recall here that the LJM forces are a group of 11 rebel factions that have joined the Peace Agreement. We will ensure that those who wish to joint the armed forces or return to civilian life can do so. Sudan, an active Member of the United Nations, now has vast experience in the disarmament and reintegration of former combatants, absorbing rebel movements and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. We can share our experience in that respect with those that require it. The examples I have cited confirm that major strides towards peace are taking place in Darfur. They make clear the determination of all parties and of the Government to implement the Doha Document in a very serious manner. In addition, the parties to the Document have launched awareness-raising campaigns in Darfur about the Document, with the assistance of UNAMID. Here I would like to thank UNAMID for its efforts in the context of the awareness-raising and outreach campaign in the countryside. A total of 25 copies of the Document have been distributed to the non-governmental organization community and to civil society. In the context of cooperation by the Sudanese Government with the international community, I should like to highlight the meeting of the special representatives of countries members of the Security Council that was held in El Geneina, Western Darfur, last October, and which was attended by representatives of the African Union and African elders. That was but one of the significant and positive developments taking place in Darfur. The meeting was also attended by representatives of Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Japan, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Sweden, Britain and the United States. Moreover, the final document of the conference affirmed that the Doha Document represents an important step towards peace and stability in Darfur. The meeting took place in October 2011, and we eagerly await the arrival of representatives of Security Council members to assist the Sudan in the peace effort. Paragraphs 22 to 25 of the report before the Council note the improved security situation in the region, with the exception of a few pockets where some rebel movements have rejected peace and have no intention whatsoever of joining the peace process. They have become desperate following their military defeat, and have turned to pillaging and armed robbery. Mr. Ladsous referred to armed gangs that kidnap and terrorize civilians even in the internally displaced persons camps; these are the actions of the remaining armed movements and gangs of pillagers that have rejected peace. Their only remaining activity is armed robbery, and they do not hesitate to undertake reckless suicide missions. This was manifest when Khalil Ibrahim, the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) who was killed on 23 December 2011, announced that the JEM was preparing to attack Khartoum militarily and to overthrow the Government. In that context, we registered a complaint with the Security Council on 29 December, containing documented evidence that South Sudan is host to many of the JEM members who crossed the international border in 79 militarized four- by-fours carrying more than 350 armed elements of that Movement. The Council has been apprised of the details of this action. There is no doubt that those elements are now in the Timsah region, well inside the 1956 borders. We have asked the Council to urge our brothers in the Government of South Sudan to extend no assistance to that force. We have asked that they be disarmed. We have asked that those who are being sought by the Government of the Sudan to answer for their crimes be turned over. Unfortunately, we have seen no progress in that regard. We request the Security Council to send a clear and strong message. The situation is clear. These forces were armed by Colonel Al-Qadhafi when they were defending his regime in Libya. When the regime fell, they crossed the border into the Sudan, and when we chased them they crossed into South Sudan. We genuinely fear for the stability and development of that country, because these armed forces are capable of reigniting the conflict in South Sudan. There is ample cause for our fear. Tribal conflict and mass murder are ongoing in South Sudan. We are concerned that the weapons of that armed group will find their way to the tribes, whose combatants will use them to settle their scores. As the representative of South Sudan noted, we are most eager to resolve all pending issues with the South. A meeting will be convened in Addis Ababa on 17 January under the presidency of Mr. Thabo Mbeki to address all such issues. I wish to place on record that we are very sincere in our desire to resolve all outstanding matters, but that South Sudan has not reciprocated our sincerity or translated its words into deeds. Although it claims to be eager to settle these issues, it is providing unlimited support to the rebel movements in Southern Kordofan and Blue Niles states. How can we reconcile its stated intentions with its actions? This attitude will not help to build South Sudan into a modern country. South Sudan needs stability, security and peace if it is to meet the major challenges it faces. I believe that ensuring such conditions is the responsibility of the Security Council. We fear that if the Council fails to address the situation resolutely and to send a clear message to the Government of South Sudan, its actions will have repercussions for the entire region. Paragraph 32 of the report before the Council notes that, “between 1 October and 12 December, UNAMID carried out 19,644 military and police patrols”. That huge number illustrates the vast geographical area covered by the patrols, as well as the stability and security prevailing in the region. The sheer size of UNAMID — the world’s largest peacekeeping operation — also means that it carries out the highest number of military and police patrols anywhere in the world. That illustrates the unlimited cooperation provided by the Government of the Sudan. If there are some cases concerning entry visas, then that must be understood in the context of the very large number of personnel in the mission. As a Member of this international Organization, let me say sincerely that we are very eager to rationalize the budget of the United Nations. I see that the official of the Secretariat is holding a side discussion, which disrupts my statement. I would request that he pay appropriate attention to my statement. In the wake of the prevailing stability in Darfur, it is high time that the Council consider reducing the huge number of personnel, which consumes a budget of almost $3 billion. Should we not utilize that money for other United Nations projects? We believe that the existence of remaining pockets of armed movements should not be a reason for the United Nations to waste $3 billion monthly. In reality, what we should do is to put pressure on those armed movements that reject peace to join the peace process — or to punish them. Their members are now kidnapping humanitarian workers and members of UNAMID. We reiterate that we will continue to cooperate with UNAMID to put an end to that phenomenon. In that connection, we were able to liberate the Italian national Francesco Azzara, who was abducted near Janina two months ago, just as my Government has been successful in securing the release of other hostages in the past. In conclusion, let me again say that we will continue to fully implement all the provisions of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. We will not close the door on anyone who chooses the road to peace. We hope that today’s Security Council deliberations will result in the adoption of a more positive approach by the Council that helps to complete the process of peace and stability, which has now taken hold. Finally — and this pertains to a piece of information provided by Mr. Ladsous — the Doha Document for Peace includes a reference to establishing special tribunals to try those who committed crimes during the conflict, including crimes against humanity, war crimes or armed robbery in Darfur. A special prosecutor was recently appointed in that regard. As Mr. Ladsous has said, that prosecutor is credible and well known for his legal background. There will be several branches of the tribunal in Darfur. As I said, that just occurred yesterday. The Doha Document for Peace also refers to the fact that the tribunal could receive observers from the United Nations and elsewhere to monitor its work. That means that no one who has committed a crime will enjoy impunity.

I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the representative of South Sudan for the statement he made earlier. In the same vein, I thank the representative of the Sudan for his statement. There are no more names inscribed on my list. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion of the subject.