S/PV.8252 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Sudan to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo, Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, to participate in this meeting. Mr. Mamabolo is joining today’s meeting via video-teleconference from El Fasher. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2018/389, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. I now give the floor to Mr. Mamabolo. Mr. Mamabolo: It is an honour and privilege for me to update the Security Council on the situation in Darfur and the work of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). Detailed information on these issues is contained in the report of the Secretary-General on UNAMID (S/2018/389) published on 25 April, which covers the period from 16 February until 15 April. So far, the implementation of the second phase of the reconfiguration of UNAMID is proceeding very well. Significant progress has been made since February, when the Chinese engineering company began construction of the temporary operating base in Golo, while the Pakistani engineering company is improving the road infrastructure in the area, specifically the road connecting Nertiti and Golo. The military and police are engaged in the alignment and establishment of their operational and administrative structures pursuant to resolution 2363 (2017), and to reflect the new UNAMID operational configuration. To that end, the establishment of the State Security Assistance Force, which is responsible for areas outside the jurisdiction of the Jebel Marra Task Force, is on track. The police have deployed to nine of the 10 team sites of the Jebel Marra Task Force, and the deployment of formed police units to the areas from which the military has withdrawn commenced on 1 March. While it is still early to fully assess the impact on the security and protection-of-civilians situation in areas from which UNAMID has withdrawn, I can say that, so far, based on our assessment following visits to most of the teams sites that the mission has withdrawn from, we have not witnessed nor heard of any adverse impact. We continue to monitor the situation within the framework of our protection-of-civilians mandate. It is also our expectation that the Government of the Sudan will, where it has not already done so, soon establish its authority in the areas concerned, especially the rule of law and justice institutions. Although the peace process continues to be stalled, one encouraging development is that, at a meeting with the Government of the Sudan in Berlin convened by the German Berghof Foundation on 16 and 17 April, the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi faction and the Justice and Equality Movement in principle accepted the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur as the basis for negotiation. The parties at the meeting, however, could not reach consensus on the timing for the creation of the implementation mechanism of the subsequent agreement, but demonstrated a desire to continue to engage with me in pursuit of a way forward. I am therefore in contact with all the parties to bridge their differences so that they can agree on and sign a pre-negotiation framework as soon as possible. That should pave way for a cessation of hostilities agreement and direct negotiations. Since my previous briefing to the Council, in March (see S/PV.8202), the general security situation in Darfur has remained calm, except for sporadic clashes between the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid faction and Government forces and nomads in the Jebel Marra area. As has occurred in previous years, clashes during the dry season became more recurrent between 10 March and 1 April, and again from 20 to 21 April, with the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid staging several ambushes on Government forces as they deployed in the Jebel Marra area. Due to access restrictions, the mission could not verify the number of casualties reported on both sides or on the number of civilians affected. There have also been reports of the burning of villages by the warring parties. A significant number of civilians have been displaced to different parts of Darfur, including to the Sortony internally displaced persons (IDPs) gathering site in North Darfur. The nature of those incidents and the low casualty figures reported suggest low-scale skirmishes rather than a large-scale operation. Nevertheless, they demonstrate the continued desire of the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid to challenge the Government of the Sudan and sustain the conflict. Although there were reports of possible incursions by the Sudan Liberation Army-Mini Minawi and by the Justice and Equality Movement in East and South Darfur, that could not be confirmed. Those two movements remain largely inactive in Darfur and seem to have observed their unilateral declaration of ceasefire, recently extended until 6 August. According to the revised figures of humanitarian actors in Darfur, some 1.76 million displaced people are registered as living in approximately 66 camps. For unregistered IDPs — that is, displaced people living in rural settlements and urban areas — estimates vary considerably, especially as there is no systematic registration of displacement outside of camps. Nevertheless, the United Nations humanitarian agencies and partners estimate that an additional 500,000 displaced people live in host communities and settlements in Darfur. From our interactions with those people, they have indicated their desire to return to their places of origin, as long as the provision of security and basic public services is guaranteed. Others are willing to settle where they are only if assured of their traditional land rights and in their original homes. For Darfur to be guaranteed lasting peace and development, durable solutions will have to be found for the plight of IDPs. As UNAMID continues its reconfiguration and drawdown, the transition phase will be critical in creating the foundation for durable peace. To that end, together with the United Nations country team, UNAMID has finalized a financing approach for sustaining peace in Darfur. We will count on the support of the international community, including Member States of the Council, for its success. It is imperative that concerted efforts be exerted towards the mobilization of financial resources to consolidate and sustain the prevailing peace and stability in the region.

I thank Mr. Mamabolo for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements.

Allow me, at the outset, to extend my appreciation to Mr. Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo, Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), for the comprehensive and most relevant briefing he has just delivered. We note with satisfaction the favourable results of the joint work between the Government of the Sudan, the African Union and the United Nations, as evidenced by the fact that clashes between the Sudanese Government and rebel groups in Darfur have diminished significantly. Generally speaking, the security situation appears more stable. The successful impact of the Government-led weapons-collection campaign is commendable, as it has contributed substantially to the reduction of intercommunal clashes. Moreover, as the report indicates (S/2018/389), there has been a significant improvement in the freedom of movement for civilians. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea calls for due observance of human rights and not neglecting their violations, especially those perpetrated against children and women. While it is true that statistically, as compared to last year, cases of rape have decreased, the situation remains precarious. We expect an immediate end to such atrocities. The Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea is concerned about the slow progress in the search for a comprehensive political solution to the conflict in Darfur. The Doha Document for Peace in Darfur is a viable framework for the peace process in Darfur because it is important that all parties show leadership and commit to the implementation and enforcement of the Document. Equatorial Guinea, as always, understands that the conflict in Darfur must be resolved through a political process that allows the most controversial and topical issues to be addressed, improved and resolved. That is why we would like to call on all parties to make efforts to reach peace with the Government through a frank and inclusive negotiation process. For those considerations, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea believes it is essential that current efforts be redoubled, particularly support for the Sudanese Government in seeking solutions to the root causes of the conflict. In that regard, we believe it is necessary for negotiations to take place between the Government and the rebel groups in Darfur, and for the Doha Document, adopted in 2011, to be implemented. It is with a view to securing that support that we already endorse the renewal of the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in June, as well as the desirability of inviting Mr. Thabo Mbeki, Chair of the High-level Independent Panel of the African Union, to inform the Council of efforts under way, as he did 18 months ago. We also call for the adoption of measures and targeted sanctions against recalcitrant groups or individuals who are reluctant to participate in negotiations between the Government and the rebel groups. I conclude by once again congratulating UNAMID, the United Nations, the African Union and the Sudanese Government on their hard work and we urge them to continue their efforts.

I thank Mr. Jeremiah Mamabolo, Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), for presenting the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the UNAMID mandate (S/2018/389). The report informs us of the UNAMID operational environment and of developments in the overall situation in Darfur. My intervention will focus on the security and political situations in Darfur, the operational environment for UNAMID and the different phases of the reconfiguration of the mission. With regard to the first point, Côte d’Ivoire notes with satisfaction that the overall security situation in Darfur remains stable, in view of the Sudanese Government’s continuing efforts to create a secure environment in the country. My country also welcomes the launch of the Government’s arms control plan, launched so that only regular forces are equipped with them, and welcomes the positive impact that the weapons-collection campaign continues to have on reducing intercommunal conflicts and crime. Côte d’Ivoire welcomes the extension of the unilateral ceasefire by the Government. However, it urges the parties involved to engage in frank discussions in order to achieve the signing of a permanent ceasefire. On the political front, my delegation shares the concerns expressed by the Secretary-General regarding the impasse in the Darfur peace process. Despite ongoing efforts by the African Union High-level Independent Panel and the Joint Special Representative to find a political solution to the crisis in Darfur, little progress has been made in the political process and in the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. My country therefore notes with regret the persistence of land ownership disputes, which continue to affect the people of Darfur. In view of the situation, Côte d’Ivoire believes that the full implementation of the Doha Document would provide lasting solutions to the root causes of the conflict, including those relating to land management, in the interests of the people. To that end, my delegation shares Mr. Mamabolo’s view that the Security Council should do everything in its power to encourage the various parties to adhere to the Document and embrace the imperative need for a political settlement of the crisis and to redouble their efforts to negotiate an inclusive peace agreement focused on the implementation of the measures stipulated in the Doha Document. With regard to the UNAMID operational environment, my country condemns the attack on a UNAMID national staff member on 24 February, as well as all unjustifiable acts of violence against UNAMID staff in general, which are violations of the status of forces agreement. Nevertheless, Côte d’Ivoire notes with satisfaction the improved collaboration between the Government of the Sudan and UNAMID in the implementation of the mission’s mandate. Therefore, while welcoming the progress made in that regard, my delegation reiterates its call to the Government of the Sudan to ensure strict compliance with the status of forces agreement with a view to facilitating the fulfilment of the mission’s mandate. With regard to the reconfiguration of UNAMID, Côte d’Ivoire welcomes the fact that no negative impact has been recorded following the withdrawal of UNAMID from the various areas in which the team sites were closed during the first phase of the reconfiguration. As for the second phase of the mission’s reconfiguration, my country welcomes the significant progress made in its implementation, including the establishment of the Jebel Marra Task Force. My delegation hopes that the recommendations of the UNAMID strategic review, as mandated by the Security Council through its presidential statement of 31 January (S/PRST/2018/4), will enable Council members to better define the mission’s priorities in the context of the renewal of its mandate. In conclusion, my delegation commends UNAMID for its ceaseless efforts to re-establish peace and stability in Darfur.

We would like to thank the Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), Mr. Jeremiah Mamabolo, for his comprehensive briefing on the report of the Secretary- General on the situation in the Sudan (S/2018/389). We take this opportunity, through him, to commend the work that UNAMID is conducting on the ground. At the outset, we underscore the positive aspects highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report, in particular with regard to security, which has remained stable, as in previous reporting periods. We also welcome the Government’s decision to extend the unilateral ceasefire to all areas of operations until 30 June. We would also like to underscore the positive results of the first arms-collection campaign promoted by the Government. It is clear that this process has contributed to improving the security situation in Darfur. It is important to continue to encourage the civilian population and militias to maintain and increase their commitment to that governmental campaign, which is in line with the peacebuilding process. With regard to the humanitarian situation, we regret that the clashes between the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid faction have complicated the delivery of humanitarian assistance in some areas of Jebel Marra. Despite that, we underscore the improved access of humanitarian assistance to that area, which was previously inaccessible. In the same vein, we welcome the return of the almost 2,000 internally displaced persons to Yasin. However, despite that positive development, many challenges remain. We therefore encourage the international community to continue to support projects that enable internally displaced persons to have to access basic services and improve their quality of life. Bolivia believes that the political situation continues to be one of the main challenges for the Sudan. We appreciate the Government’s efforts to promote the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. Again, we stress that the only way a solution to this situation can be achieved is through a political process that addresses the root causes of the conflict, which are primarily disputes over land ownership. We also underscore that further efforts are needed to help resolve the differences that exist with regard to the Doha Document. We call on the movements that have not signed the Document to engage constructively in dialogue with the Government and to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities. We highlight the communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union of 20 February, which called on the African Union Commission to develop possible measures, including possible sanctions, that could be applied against all those who continue to impede efforts to achieve peace and security in Darfur. With regard to the reconfiguration of UNAMID, we commend the progress made with the successful completion of the first phase and the initiation of the second phase. We are pleased to learn that UNAMID started withdrawing in the first phase from the areas envisioned and that did not have any negative consequences. We must continue to work to strengthen the country team’s capacities to ensure that the withdrawal of the Hybrid Operation is successful. We also highlight the fundraising strategy for sustaining peace in Darfur that was developed by UNAMID and the country team. We must support that strategy to ensure a successful transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding in Darfur. Finally, we appreciate this opportunity to acknowledge the great work being done by Joint Special Representative Mamabolo, UNAMID, the United Nations country team and the members of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel to achieve peace and sustainable development in Darfur.

We would like to thank you, Madam President, for convening this meeting, and Mr. Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo, Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), for his briefing, as well as the valuable work he is doing with his team. We note that the security situation in Darfur remains relatively stable and that intercommunal violence has significantly decreased. Nevertheless, we must regret that the peace process remains stalled. There is still a need to address the root causes of the conflict and to build sustainable peace. The human rights situation remains precarious. We note the decrease in human rights violations and abuses as compared to the previous year, but the figures remain high. We are particularly concerned about the vulnerability of women and children and the absence of an institutional framework capable of effectively protecting them. Peru supports the important work being done by UNAMID in escorting and protecting civilians, which allows women and children to carry out their daily activities outside the camps for displaced persons. That enables humanitarian actors to obtain relevant information about the needs of internally displaced persons. However, we must condemn the persistence of sexual violence. According to the latest report of the Secretary-General on the issue (S/2018/389), the rate in Darfur is particularly high around the camps for internally displaced persons. We regret that sexual violence is not reported because of the lack of protection for victims and witnesses and inaction on the part of authorities in punishing those responsible. There is a need for women to occupy the posts of judges, prosecutors and police officers. We would like to underscore the work of UNAMID to promote the participation of the population in the child-protection programme, including the establishment of four committees in camps for internally displaced persons, which aim to promote the exchange of information and good practices to respond to reports. We also wish to underscore the improvements in access to humanitarian assistance in Darfur. However, we are concerned that those improvements have not reached all areas of Jebel Marra, where it is estimated that food insecurity seriously affects the inhabitants of that area, as well as those in North Darfur, who could face a level 4 situation of emergency food insecurity. In that regard, we welcome the joint fundraising strategy for sustaining peace in Darfur, which aims to facilitate the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding. We also welcome the efforts of the Joint Special Representative, the Special Envoy for the Sudan and South Sudan and the African Union High-level Implementation Panel to revive the peace process. We conclude by stressing the urgent need for all parties to the conflict to participate constructively, in a spirit of compromise, in the peace and reconciliation process in Darfur, and to make progress in the implementation of the Doha Document and in the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.

We join others in expressing our deep appreciation to the Joint Special Represenative for Darfur, Mr. Jeremiah Mamabolo, for his comprehensive update on the situation in Darfur. My delegation supports the conclusions of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/389) and would like to make the following observations. We are encouraged by the continuing improvement in the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur, as well as the overall reduction in intercommunal clashes, criminal activities and human rights violations. That was achieved owing to the strengthened cooperation among the Sudanese Government, the United Nations, the African Union and the successful arms- collection campaign. At the same time, we note that the progress in the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur has been slow. Kazakhstan welcomes the extension of a unilateral ceasefire by President Al-Bashir until July 2018, which aims to create a conducive environment for peace talks. We hope that all parties in Darfur will undertake the necessary efforts to invigorate an inclusive political process led by the African Union High-level Implementation Panel and supported by Joint Special Representative Mamabolo. Furthermore, the Council should consider all the necessary measures to put pressure on those who undermine the peace process. Like the Joint Special Representative, we are also pleased with the significant progress achieved in the reconfiguration of UNAMID and the absence of a reported adverse impact of the drawdown. We expect that the second phase of the reconfiguration will be successfully implemented and completed within the established timeline. Given those positive developments, we believe that it is essential to reconsider UNAMID’s mandates to reflect the realities on the ground. In particular, we need to give priority to UNAMID’s peacebuilding mandate, including support for capacity-building and quick-impact and community-stabilization measures, through the implementation of the UNAMID integrated strategic framework for Darfur and the United Nations country team. Obviously, there will have to be a substantial investment by the United Nations system and donors, delivering as One United Nations, to streamline operations to meet greater demands within personnel and resource constraints. Finally, we call on the international community to provide the necessary financial and technical support to the Government of the Sudan to address the root causes of the conflict, including poverty, the lack of basic services, drought and massive harvest failures, as well as to ultimately find a durable solution for the internally displaced persons.

I would like to thank the Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), Mr. Jeremiah Mamabolo, for his briefing. I shall focus my comments on the security, humanitarian and political aspects in Darfur and the reconfiguration of UNAMID. First of all, with regard to the security situation, we welcome the positive developments mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/389), in particular the return to stability in Darfur, the notable decrease in intercommunal clashes, the ongoing ceasefire, the weapons-collection campaign and the drop in crime. We took part in the field visit last April, which the President organized in her capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005). We were able to see for ourselves what is described in the report of the Secretary-General, namely, the security situation and the positive impact of the weapons-collection campaign. The improvements in the security situation and the weapons-collection campaign have also contributed to improving the humanitarian situation. The Secretary- General mentions that development in his report, particularly with respect to an improvement in the freedom of movement for civilians, a reduction in the number of attacks against civilians, a decrease in incidents of human rights violations and an improvement in the delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as increased voluntary returns of internally displaced persons and a reduction in the number of attacks against civilians. Last Monday, the Security Council, in an Arria Formula meeting, was briefed on the successes in Darfur regarding the action plan for the protection of children from violations in armed conflict in Darfur. We welcome the positive role of UNAMID in strengthening local capacities in the stabilization of Darfur, in particular strengthening local judicial institutions as well as training local civilian partners and security forces in the area of protecting children and fighting sexual abuse and exploitation. We welcome the role of the joint mechanism between the Sudan and the League of Arab States to implement development projects in Darfur. We also welcome the briefing by Lieutenant General Leonard Ngondi, Force Commander of UNAMID, yesterday (see S/PV.8251). With respect to political developments, we would like to reaffirm the primacy of a political solution in Darfur. We would also like to reaffirm the key role of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. We welcome the return of certain factions to the peace process, as we were able to see in Berlin last month. However, we regret that they have tried to negotiate outside of the framework of the Doha Document. With regard to the reconfiguration of UNAMID and the future, we welcome the cooperation between the Government of the Sudan and UNAMID. A joint United Nations-African Union mission to the Sudan, which is mentioned in the report, was carried out to visit the eight areas from which UNAMID has withdrawn, as a result of which no negative impact has been noted, During our visit, we were able to observe one of the camps — the Abu Shuk camp, in North Darfur. We hope to see more cooperation between the Sudan, the authorities of Darfur and UNAMID. With regard to UNAMID’s exit strategy, I support the request General Ngondi made yesterday that there should be a clear transition plan that facilitates a withdrawal of the operation. In conclusion, we await the report of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations on the second phase and a discussion of the Council on the extension of the mandate in the light of the facts on the ground and in manner that maintains peace.

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

I would like to congratulate you, Madam President, on your country’s accession to the presidency of the Security Council during the month of May. I would also like to commend your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Peru, for his effective management of the Council’s business during the month of April. And I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2018/389), and Mr. Jeremiah Mamabolo for his briefing. As Council members are aware from the Secretary- General’s report on the situation in Darfur, and from the various visits conducted by many members to the Sudan over the past period, it is with great pleasure for me to confirm the conclusions reached by those different delegations and missions to the Sudan. The situation in the country has seen huge progress and notable normalization in all aspects, day after day. There is a return to stability, a move towards reconstruction and compensation for years of conflict, irrevocably gone thanks to the efforts of the Sudanese Government with the support of the international community, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), United Nations agencies and friendly and brotherly countries, but above all thanks to the will and the desire of our people in Darfur to reach peace and stability. What I said in the Council last March during its discussion of the Secretary-General’s previous report on UNAMID (S/2018/154), is applicable to the current state of affairs in Darfur (see S/PV.8202). I understand that Council members are aware of the great progress achieved in the security and humanitarian fields, the return of internally displaced persons, the weapons- collection campaign, the intercommunal conflict and addressing the root causes of the conflict. The current situation in Darfur speaks for itself. It proves that the fact of peace has become tangible in all respects, even in the small pockets under the control of the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid rebel faction. There is a popular sentiment that encourages full reconciliation and sustained peace. The Government of the Sudan is aware of the needs in the upcoming period, including the various social cohesion and development programmes, as well as addressing the root causes of the conflict. In that regard, it is important to underscore that the international community must provide the necessary assistance to implement such programmes by means of direct support or through the various United Nations agencies or its country team in the Sudan. We call on donor countries to fulfil their pledges. We would like to thank the Secretary-General for having agreed to provide the necessary support through the Peacebuilding Fund. We also thank friendly and brotherly countries, in particular the State of Qatar, Japan and Turkey, as well as the African Union (AU) and the League of Arab States, among others, for their ongoing support to the people of Darfur. Turning to the implementation of resolution 2363 (2017), which provides for the beginning of the drawdown and the reconfiguration of UNAMID, that decision has proved to be appropriate given the phase of peacebuilding and strengthening security and stability throughout the states of Darfur. We look forward to the outcome of the strategic review conducted by the African Union Commission and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations with regard to implementing an exit strategy for UNAMID from Darfur in the near future. That would allow for the necessary peacebuilding and strengthening of stability. It is high time for such steps. The Government of the Sudan has already started to implement such projects, such as launching a campaign to collect weapons from civilians. Reports indicate that, to date, the campaign has been successful despite limited resources. We are determined to continue the campaign. As we have affirmed previously, it is necessary to collect weapons in order to achieve peace and stability. Everyone, in particular the Secretary- General and the international officials who recently visited Darfur, have seen the positive impact of the weapons-collection campaign on the security situation in Darfur. The Government of the Sudan will therefore spare no effort to implement the campaign. In that regard, we emphasize the importance of our partnership with UNAMID and the ongoing consultations and meetings with the Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the AU-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. The political settlement of the situation in Darfur is the main objective of the Government of the Sudan. We are striving to achieve that goal in accordance with the provisions of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, which is the main reference document for peace in Darfur. That was affirmed by the international committee for the Doha Document. I would like to respond to some questions raised by representatives. By the end of last year, 85 per cent of the Doha agreement had been implemented. As the Security Council knows, the Doha agreement is recognized by the United Nations and the international community. It remains to compel the parties that refuse to be party to the agreement to sign the Document. In view of the broad recognition it has received and the pace of its implementation, we cannot abandon the agreement owing to the leverage of a few people who know that peace, the subsequent elections and democratic representation will exclude them from the arrangement. We must not forget what the former Nigerian President, Mr. Obasanjo, said in 2004 when he launched the Abuja negotiations, namely, that what was of real concern to the armed groups was that they would be dissolved, like salt in water, at the final stage of the negotiations. It is therefore normal that those groups would spare no effort to undermine the peace process and the UNAMID exit strategy, as the Force Commander said yesterday (see S/PV.8251). We therefore call on all countries with influence on the armed groups to pressure them to engage in negotiations without preconditions and to seriously participate without delay so that we can reach a political agreement that would improve the situation and, inter alia, help to achieve a stable and secure Sudan. In that regard, it would be remiss of me not to mention the significant efforts of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel to narrow the differences and to conduct a series of talks. However, the intransigence of some armed groups that are not part of the military in Darfur and thrive on conflict in the neighbouring countries, in particular Libya and South Sudan, has thwarted efforts to reach a political solution with them or to engage them in the political process on the basis of the Doha agreement. That includes the meetings held recently in Berlin to persuade the leaders of those movements to resume negotiations. That only proves what we have said before, namely, that the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi faction and the Justice and Equality Movement (Jebril) are not part of the solution in Darfur. We reaffirm that those movements represent a threat to international and regional peace and security. The Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid faction is empowered only by its media spokespersons and political proxies in some camps for internally displaced persons. (spoke in English) On the issue of access, I would like to mention that as long ago as 2017, we circulated an aide-memoire on access to the areas targeted in Darfur. Principally, mutatis mutandis, the contents are valid as far as our commitment to access is concerned. We therefore thought the circulation could be useful. We will send copies of it to all Security Council members. (spoke in Arabic) We call once again for unity on the mechanisms set up by the Council to help the Sudan to bring about lasting peace in Darfur. The follow-up on the implementation of resolution 1591 (2005) on imposing targeted sanctions must be consistent with the Security Council resolve to bring about normality, as provided for in resolution 2363 (2017). In that regard, we propose a reduction in the number of experts and lifting the military ban in Darfur. There are two options with regard to the listed individuals, namely, either to delist them from the sanctions list or to list Abdul Wahid Mohamed al-Nour in implementation of the resolution 1591 (2005), which warned about his designation on the sanctions list. (spoke in English) I beg the Council’s kind indulgence to carefully consider the fact that Abdul Wahid Mohamed al-Nour, known as Mr. No, and his small number of followers are obstructing the peace process in Jebel Marra — the only place the Security Council agreed to exclude from the greater Darfur area and in which it maintains a peacekeeping force. Jebel Marra accounts for less than 5 per cent of Darfur’s total surface area. I believe there is no other option but to demonstrate the resolve of the international community here in the Security Council by declaring that the ongoing normalization of the situation in Darfur shall not be held hostage to the misjudgments, bad faith and whims of Mr. Abdul Wahid. All that is required for peace to prevail at last in that part of my country is to strip him of all political support and send him a stern and unequivocal message of zero tolerance, as he is the obstacle to peace. (spoke in Arabic) In conclusion, we commend the comprehensive and concerted efforts made to conclude the peace process. Once again we welcome peacebuilding, which will bring about development and, therefore, an end to the conflict. My delegation would like to thank UNAMID for its efforts in all areas, and peacekeepers for their sacrifices throughout the years. We would also like to thank troop- and police-contributing countries. We reiterate our Government’s readiness to cooperate with all regional and international partners on UNAMID- related matters until the very last of its components leave the country.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.