S/PV.8283 Security Council

In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under- Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, to participate in this meeting. 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/2018/530, which contains the special report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the strategic review of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. I now give the floor to Mr. Lacroix. Mr. Lacroix: I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to brief the Council on the special report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the strategic review of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) (S/2018/530). I will also provide an update on the latest developments in Darfur. Today’s meeting comes as the Mission is finalizing a year-long process of reconfiguration, which saw 11 team sites closed and a shift towards peacekeeping in the Jebel Marra and peacebuilding in the rest of Darfur. As we reflect on the situation on the ground and the needs of the Darfuri population now and in the future, we should consider how the United Nations system as a whole, in partnership with the African Union (AU), can best address those needs. The special report that is before us today points a way forward as we adapt to the changing reality in Darfur. Let me first turn to the situation on the ground. With the second consecutive dry season without large-scale fighting now behind us, the security situation in Darfur during the reporting period remained stable overall. Fighting between the Government and rebel groups remains confined to parts of the mountainous Jebel Marra area, where the Sudan Liberation Army- Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW) maintains a presence. Intermittent clashes that started in March continued, with Government forces putting pressure on SLA/AW strongholds in the Jebel Marra. Offensive attacks by the rebel group were largely limited to ambushes — likely an attempt to obstruct the progress of Government forces. The verification of these incidents has proved challenging owing to access restrictions placed on the Mission and the humanitarian community. The clashes have caused civilian displacements the extent of which is only partially verified. We regret that the fighting has again caused hardship for the civilian population, and we call on the Government to give UNAMID and our humanitarian partners access to protect and assist those affected. Intercommunal violence remained low, consistent with the previous reporting period, with a marginal increase in the number of incidents. These included confrontations in the area of Graida, South Darfur, where fighting over land ownership between the Fallata and the Misseriya, as well as between the Fallata and Massalit, resulted in deaths and injuries. Violence against internally displaced persons (IDPs) , including attacks on IDP camps and reports of forced evictions, remains a concern. Allegations were received from IDPs in the area of Kass, South Darfur, of harassment by Rapid Support Forces to force them off of public lands and buildings. Confrontations in the Khamsa Dagaig, Ardayba and Jedda IDP camps in Central Darfur between 21 and 23 May resulted in a number of IDPs being killed and injured. Efforts to reinvigorate the stalled peace process continued, with a meeting between the Government of the Sudan and the non-signatory movements in Berlin on 16 and 17 April to discuss a pre-negotiation framework. While talks stalled over the creation of new and independent implementation mechanisms for a subsequent peace agreement, parties agreed on all other elements of the proposed pre-negotiation framework. For the first time, the non-signatory movements accepted the principle of negotiating on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. The conflict in Darfur has changed, and to best serve the Darfuri people, UNAMID must change with it. The peacekeeping mission should be directed to the area where it is most needed, namely, at the site of continued conflict in the Jebel Marra. In the rest of Darfur, the United Nations system should leverage the capabilities of the agencies, funds and programmes best suited to tackling the problems that remain there. Now is the time to plan for the future of the United Nations and African Union support to Darfur by closely linking the drawdown in peacekeeping to the build-up in peacebuilding and development. This linkage, between focusing peacekeeping efforts on the one hand and increasing peacebuilding and development capacity on the other, is at the heart of the special report before the Council today. The report presents two central concepts that would work hand in hand over a two-year time frame: first, a peacekeeping concept, which focuses on the most precarious areas where the protection of civilians, humanitarian support and the mediation of local conflict remain a necessity to further the peace process; and secondly, a transition concept, which, in collaboration with the United Nations country team, aims to bridge the transition from peacekeeping to early recovery and development. Within the peacekeeping concept, UNAMID would focus its activities on three strategic priorities: first, protecting civilians, monitoring human rights and facilitating humanitarian assistance; secondly, mediation between the Government of the Sudan and non-signatory armed movements on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur; and thirdly, local-level mediation to address intercommunal or other local conflict. The area of operations would be reduced to 13 team sites in the greater Jebel Marra and the mission headquarters would move from El Fasher to Zalingei, Central Darfur. The supercamp in El Fasher would be downsized and continue to serve as a logistics hub, while all other team sites and supercamps outside of the new area of operations would be closed. Overall, the force strength would be reduced from 8,735 to 4,050 military personnel, and the police component would be reduced from 2,500 officers to 1,870. The whole-of-system transition concept focuses on addressing the critical drivers of conflict and preventing relapse. To operationalize this, four substantive areas have been identified to enable the Government, the United Nations country team, civil society partners, as well as international actors to carefully and responsibly prepare for the Mission’s envisaged exit: first, the rule of law, including police; secondly, resilience and livelihoods, including durable solutions for IDPs and host communities; thirdly, immediate service delivery to IDPs; and, fourthly, human rights. UNAMID would support the establishment of joint UNAMID-United Nations country team liaison offices in each Darfur state capital, except Zalingei, with the country team leading work tailored to the needs of each state. The two linked concepts in the special report provide a road map for whole-of-system support to long-term peace and stability in Darfur. For this to be realized, it is essential that longer-term funding arrangements be in place and that we raise voluntary contributions, use funding from the assessed budget during the transition, and work closely with the Peacebuilding Support Office to access funding. We rely on the support of our partners to bring that vision to life. The situation in Darfur has changed radically for the better since the height of the conflict, and the needs of the people have changed with it. The special report that is before the Council is a recognition that the international community must adapt its support accordingly. What it proposes is a way to draw on the capabilities of the entire United Nations system, in partnership with the AU, to better tailor our work to the reality on the ground. As the United Nations refocuses its support on Darfur, it will need the committed backing of the Government of the Sudan, the United Nations country team and humanitarian partners, as well as the troop- and police-contributing countries and the members of the Council, to navigate the significant changes. We thank the Council for its continued support as we work to achieve peace and stability for Darfur, and security and development for its people. We believe that, working together, this new approach can help establish a future of United Nations and AU support to Darfur that will help to improve the lives of the Darfuri people now and in the long term.

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

I thank Under-Secretary- General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his useful briefing, as well as his active and personal involvement together with his African Union (AU) Commission counterpart Ismail Chergui in the review process of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). We thank both the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the AU Commission for the special report (S/2018/530), which certainly provides us with an analysis of the conflict, highlighting the current security situation and conflict-drivers in Darfur, the political and humanitarian situation, as well as the development needs critical for avoiding a relapse into conflict. We have all said time and again that the overall security situation in Darfur remains generally stable. Intercommunal violence has decreased significantly and there has been a continuous improvement in humanitarian access across Darfur. That has also been confirmed by the report on the joint strategic review of the African Union and the United Nations. The visit of the AU Peace and Security Council also resulted in similar observations. That is why the Chairperson of the AU Commission and the Secretary-General are arguing that improvements in the overall security situation in Darfur have created the conditions for UNAMID to prepare its exit after over 10 years in the Sudan. Of course, the root causes of the conflict in Darfur remain largely unaddressed, but UNAMID no longer represents the appropriate tool to address those remaining challenges. The strategic review clearly states that the situation in Darfur can be characterized no longer as an armed conflict between Government forces and non-State actors, but as lawlessness and criminality, aggravated by a protracted humanitarian crisis, problems related to human rights and the lack of development. In that context, the transition from peacekeeping to sustaining peace and the role of the Peacebuilding Support Office and the Peacebuilding Fund, highlighted by the strategic review, is indeed very appropriate. We believe that there is certainly a need for a paradigm shift in our approach to dealing with the Darfur situation. The Sudanese Government has demonstrated its political will to sustainably address the challenges in the region. It has also exerted many efforts to address the challenges the Sudan as a whole is facing. What is expected from the international community is to intensify efforts in assisting the Government’s efforts and to help in relieving the suffering of the people of Darfur. The American engagement with the Sudan is a case in point, and we are seeing how it has contributed to developments not only in Darfur, but also in other issues of peace and security. But engagement is not the only solution. The Sudan needs immediate and substantial financial support, and I take this opportunity to thank Sweden for taking the lead in changing the approach in that regard. I hope that will be emulated by other partners as well. The Government is exerting efforts to find a durable solution to the high number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), without which sustainable peace in Darfur cannot be ensured. I am sure we all appreciate the fact that the challenges with regard to IDPs, particularly that of land and providing basic services, are huge and will not be addressed by the efforts of the Government alone. It requires significant assistance from the international community, which, so far, has been very meagre, save for modest assistance from a very few countries. The Government is also trying to fill the void that could be created by the closure of some of UNAMID’s team sites by putting in place law enforcement and rule of law institutions, such as courts and police stations, that address issues related to the security of the communities. Unfortunately, those efforts have been similarly constrained by the lack of capacity and resources. The weapons-collection campaign has contributed considerably to the mitigation of intercommunal violence. That is an effort worth supporting, given its immediate impact on the return of IDPs and their long-term implications for stability in Darfur. The enormous gains registered in Darfur can be ensured only through sustained financing for the development efforts of the Government. That is why we are asking for a change of approach from the international community towards the Sudan. As the report on the joint strategic review rightly observes, “We have invested too much in Darfur over the last decade and a half to risk it backsliding into conflict due to a lack of resources” (S/2018/530, para. 70). It is only through investment in recovery and peacebuilding efforts that we can avert the possibility of conflict relapse in Darfur. We hope that the request from the President of the Republic of the Sudan, expressing his interest in the Sudan’s being declared eligible to receive funds from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, will be accepted. The AU Peace and Security Council has also supported that request, and since members of the Peace and Security Council are coming to New York next month, we hope that they will engage the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission on the matter. The other important aspect that needs a paradigm shift is the approach to the Darfur peace process. We see no reason for the Council not to have a unified position on Abdul Wahid and his group. He is totally uninterested in any peace process. We have been briefed for quite some time, and have regrettably failed to take any action in that regard. The bottom line is that he should not be allowed to hold the peace process hostage. He should face the appropriate measures for his destructive role. Although the remaining rebel groups have also not shown any interest in ensuring peace in Darfur, it is a public secret that those groups are engaged in criminal activity in Libya and South Sudan, amassing huge resources. The lack of commitment on the part of the rebel groups definitely emanates from that fact and appropriate pressure must be applied in order to change their calculations. Otherwise, those groups will pose a problem not only to the Sudan, but to the entire region and the larger international community as well. They should not be allowed to benefit from their illegal activities in Libya and South Sudan, using the Darfur peace process as a pretext. If they continue in their refusal to meaningfully participate in the peace process, the Council should deal with them as transnational organized criminal groups, and not as Darfuri rebels. Finally, we support a whole-of-system approach to Darfur, as jointly recommended by the Secretary- General and the AU Commission Chairperson, as well as to peacekeeping activities in the most precarious areas where the protection of civilians, humanitarian support and mediation of local conflict remain necessities to further the peace process, while also investing substantively in peacebuilding, recovery and development all over Darfur to further the peace process there. We also support the redefined priorities of UNAMID, based on that whole-of-system approach. We hope that it will be taken into account in renewing the mandate of UNAMID. Finally, we support the extension of the mandate of the Mission for another 12 months, and we look forward to engaging constructively in the upcoming negotiations.

Мy delegation thanks Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix for the quality of his briefing on the special report of the Secretary- General of the United Nations and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the strategic review of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) (S/2018/530). The report informs us of the developments and challenges in Darfur to bring peace and stability to the region. Мy delegation welcomes the weapons-collection campaign and the gradual redeployment of State power that have led to an improvement in the security situation throughout Darfur. However, it must be noted that the situation remains worrying in Jebel Marra, where armed groups associated with the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid faction continue to carry out criminal and destabilizing activities. Côte d’Ivoire therefore calls on the international community to do its utmost to halt the actions of those armed groups, which could undermine the gains made in the area of security. Côte d’Ivoire also welcomes the extension of the unilateral ceasefire of hostilities by the Government of the Sudan and certain armed groups, and urges them to commit themselves further by signing a permanent ceasefire  — a precondition for a definitive end to the crisis. With regard to the humanitarian situation, my delegation notes that two major challenges remain, in particular the issue of internally displaced persons and the effects of climate change on the population’s resilience capacity. With regard to the issue of internally displaced persons, besides the lack of infrastructure and limited access to basic social services, problems related to land management and the use of natural resources continue to prevent internally displaced persons from returning home freely, safely and with dignity. In that regard, my delegation is of the view that the comprehensive implementation of land management provisions, such as those stipulated in the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, will help to bring about a permanent settlement to the land tenure issue. Côte d’Ivoire encourages the Sudanese Government to redouble its efforts to settle the land management issue. We also call on the international community to provide financial support to the Sudanese Government so as to enable the various committees established in accordance with the Doha Document to continue activities that ensure the well-being of the people of Darfur. My delegation is concerned about the negative impact of climate change on agriculture and livestock farming, both of which help to improve food security. We call on the international community to meet the funding needs of the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan for the Sudan. At the political level, Côte d’Ivoire deplores the fact that some armed groups have not signed the Doha Document, which is having an adverse impact on the peace process in Darfur and on the implementation of the Document’s provisions. My country shares the view of the Secretary-General with regard to the importance of making a greater effort to encourage such groups to take part in the peace process, based on the provisions of the Doha Document, which is the only viable path to peace in Darfur. Côte d’Ivoire congratulates the Sudanese Government on the progress that has led to a considerable improvement in the security situation and improved stability in Darfur, despite the current challenges. My delegation welcomes the progress made on the operational concept of UNAMID, which is focused on peacekeeping in Jebel Marra and on achieving stability and peacebuilding elsewhere in Darfur. It also notes the findings of the strategic review of the Mission conducted with the African Union Commission and calls for the diligent implementation of the Secretary- General’s recommendations. My delegation supports in particular the recommendations on defining common priorities and implementing relevant joint activities, in close cooperation with the United Nations country team within the framework of the transition. In the light of its experience in the area of peacebuilding and the vital support of the United Nations country team in Côte d’Ivoire, my country maintains that such collaboration could provide the right solutions and conditions required to bring about a viable end to the crisis and UNAMID’s exit. Its withdrawal should be gradual in order to ensure that the protection of civilians is not jeopardized. In addition, my delegation underscores the importance of providing the necessary funding to the country team to ensure the long-term implementation of rapid recovery, development and peacebuilding activities. Moreover, Côte d’Ivoire shares the recommendations of the Secretary-General with regard to the importance of reforming the security sector, in accordance with the Doha Document and the principles outlined in the African Union Framework on Security Sector Reform. As the Secretary-General has stated, the implementation of the recommendations will help to stabilize Darfur and bolster post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Once again, my country calls on the international community to assist the Sudanese Government in its efforts to provide an effective response to development challenges in Darfur, in particular in the areas of health, education and access to basic social services. In that regard, Côte d’Ivoire supports the request of the Sudanese Government for financing from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund in order to implement the priorities outlined for the transition period. In conclusion, my country calls on the Sudanese Government, UNAMID, the United Nations country team, the African Union, as well as all development partners to work together for a lasting return to stability and to prevent renewed conflict in Darfur.

We thank Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix and his entire team for their comprehensive and detailed briefing. We in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea welcome the positive outcome of the joint efforts of the Government of the Sudan, the African Union and the United Nations. Their invaluable contribution to the peace process has led to a considerable reduction in the number of clashes between the Sudanese Government and Darfur rebel groups and better protection for the civilian population in Darfur. Such conditions have enabled the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur to prepare to exit the area after more than 10 years of intense conflict. We thank all stakeholders that have contributed to the situation, in particular the Governments of Qatar, Germany and the United States as the main sponsors of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. We invite all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and adhere to the Doha Document. Generally, it all points to a security situation that appears to be more stable. We hope that such stability can be sustained with the main aim of restoring peace and fostering direct, earnest and inclusive dialogue. In the light of such progress, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea commends the efforts of the Sudanese Government and urges it to continue to work to restore normalcy and protect civilians, in particular the most vulnerable. We would like to underscore the progress made with respect to the confiscation of weapons. Weapons alone do not kill, but let us not fool ourselves — they help considerably. It is therefore important to establish a security sector in accordance with the guidelines set by the African Union Framework on Security Sector Reform. The trafficking and proliferation of small arms and light weapons are key factors contributing to insecurity and instability in the Central African subregion, threatening the present and future of our young people and our ability to build civil, functional and modern societies. It is an issue that affects us directly and we intend to address it during our membership of the Council. Despite the progress that has been made, it is clear that the process is incomplete and that much remains to be done. That is why we will continue to support and commend the approach adopted by the African Union and the United Nations to coordinate efforts, which we hope will soon result in a positive outcome for the Sudanese people. We would like to underscore that while we commend efforts to develop an exit strategy, we recommend that it be consensus-based, gradual, flexible and realistic, in line with developments on the ground, bearing in mind that the conflict is inter-ethnic in nature and spurred by competition for scarce resources in the area and clashes over lands on which those resources are found. We believe that this is another issue that must be resolved in order to end the conflict. That is why we welcome State efforts in eastern Darfur to establish a mechanism that would determine and formalize land ownership rights through the courts. We would like to see progress in that area. Lastly, we would like to underscore our concerns about the serious humanitarian situation currently affecting more than 1 million people. Many of the displaced now endure famine exacerbated by the adverse impact of climate change and are in dire need of food assistance. We therefore call on the international community and the Security Council to work together to adopt measures to resolve the horrific situation. We believe that including the situation in Darfur on the agenda of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, as requested by the Government of the Sudan, would be a good way to do so. We intend to support that request during the next annual meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and in the Security Council in July. We will work with our colleagues to address those issues in the upcoming mandate-renewal resolution. As our Ethiopian colleagues stated, we hope the mandate will be extended.

We thank the Under- Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, for his comprehensive briefing on the strategic review of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). We take this opportunity to commend the work that the mission is carrying out on the ground. We welcome the conclusions that the African Union and the United Nations mention in the strategic review with respect to the overall improvement in the security situation in Darfur, which should make it possible to readapt UNAMID and prepare for the withdrawal of the mission in the next two years. It is clear that the weapons-collection campaign and the deployment of security forces that the Government of the Sudan has conducted in recent years to ensure stability in the area have made it possible to create the necessary conditions for stability. It is vital to continue to cooperate with these initiatives so that peacebuilding activities can be carried out in a sustainable manner. We also must promote the institutional capacity of the security forces as well as the rule of law in the area and make structural adjustments in the security sector that will dovetail with prevention and reconstruction activities following the conflict. We welcome the decision of both the Government and armed groups to unilaterally extend the ceasefire to all areas of operations until 30 June and 6 August, respectively. It is imperative, however, that at this stage steps be taken to ensure that a permanent ceasefire is agreed. The political situation clearly remains one of the main challenges. We welcome the efforts of the Government to promote the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur and stress that the only possible solution to the situation in the area is through a political process that addresses the root causes of the conflict, mainly conflicts over natural resources and land ownership. In this regard, we welcome the initiatives launched by United Nations agencies and programmes and to assess the progress that has been made in terms of land ownership. We also highlight the fact that efforts must be made to resolve differences on the Doha Document and urge the non-signatory movements to enter into a constructive dialogue with the Government so as to bring about a definitive cessation of hostilities. We reiterate that it is important for the Security Council to consider the measures necessary to bring pressure to bear on those that are undermining the peace process. However, and despite the progress made in the Sudan, the humanitarian situation there remains a significant challenge. The living conditions of internally displaced persons is extremely concerning, and the cooperation of the international community is urgent in order to ensure the implementation of the humanitarian response plan for the Sudan developed by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. With regard to the reconfiguration of UNAMID, we commend the progress that has been made with the successful culmination of phase one and with phase two under way. We are pleased to note that the planned withdrawal of UNAMID from certain sites has not led to negative consequences. We stress the good relations between the Government and UNAMID and urge them to increase their cooperation so that the mission can carry out its work without impediment. In general terms, we believe that the strategic review of UNAMID accurately reflects the current situation and the short-, medium- and long-term challenges in Darfur. We support the repositioning of the priorities of the mission to focus more closely on support for the political process, which is particularly important, and to promote activities that will prevent conflict from breaking out again and address comprehensively the root causes of the conflict. Mine-clearance activities, particularly the clearing of explosive remnants of war, are essential to ensure the safe return of internally displaced persons to their homes and ensure the future safety of the mission. It is clear that in order to ensure success in this new phase, funding mechanisms must be created in order to prevent the recurrence of conflict. Here the cooperation of the international community will be vital to promoting sustainable development in Darfur, building the capacities of the country team and ensuring the successful withdrawal of the Hybrid Operation. Finally, we take this opportunity to express our gratitude to and acknowledge the outstanding work done by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jeremiah Mamabolo; UNAMID; the United Nations country team; and the members of African Union High- level Implementation Panel with a view to bringing about sustainable peace and development in Darfur.

We would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this meeting and also to thank Under- Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his briefing on the strategic review of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and for the work he is carrying out along with his team. Although what he has told us indicates that there has been a significant improvement in the security situation in Darfur, we must, however, express our concern at the threats posed by certain militias that remain active to the return of internally displaced persons to their places of origin. The international community must redouble its efforts to address humanitarian needs and to protect the human rights of the more than 2 million internally displaced persons in the Sudan. Specifically, in order to bring about such return and, ultimately, sustainable peace in Darfur, there is a pressing need to build police capacity, promote the rule of law and provide basic services such as water, food and health care. To that end, over and above the achievement of relative stability, there must be a commitment of all parties to the conflict and the broadest possible participation of the population in order to effectively deal with the root causes of the crisis, promote inclusive institutions that are able to resolve disputes and mitigate the threats posed by climate change. We regret that despite the efforts of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel, it has still not been possible to reach agreement with the armed groups that are not signatories to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. We regret also that the Property Claims and Restitution Committee of the Voluntary Return and Resettlement Commission was not able to complete its work because of a lack of funding. We stress that the distribution of land and natural resources, including water, remains the main cause of conflict between communities, particularly since global warming is worsening the situation and leading to increased desertification. We welcome the fact that the phased withdrawal of UNAMID from its team sites has not led to a reduction in security in those areas. However, it is of concern that there has been a reduction in the capacity to monitor the humanitarian and human rights situation there. It is also concerning that, as a result of the handover at the team sites to formed police units, the current police strength of only 140 officers is not sufficient to serve the camps and support individual police officers. Peru supports the proposed substantive investment in peacebuilding, recovery and development in Darfur in order to continue to promote the peace process. We believe that the presence of the African Union and the United Nations must adapt to the current needs of the population. We therefore support the new mission concept, which involves readjusting UNAMID’s priorities in order to transition towards withdrawal over a two-year period. In order to achieve this goal, we would like to cite three elements key to building sustainable peace in Darfur, including the return of displaced persons to their places of origin on the basis of a permanent agreement on a cessation of hostilities between the Government and armed groups, the full implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur and financial support from the international community. First, there must be fluid communication and cooperation between UNAMID and the United Nations country team, with a view to implementing the stabilization and peacebuilding strategy agreed upon by the Council. Secondly, we must ensure local capacity-building and inclusive institutions in order to provide security and judicial services and to promote sustainable development. And finally, progress must be made gradually, assessing the impact on the population of the phased withdrawal of UNAMID. We must avoid a rushed exit, which would undermine the relative stability we have gained. On the other hand, we hope that the withdrawal of the mission reflects the attainment of sustainable peace.

We join others in expressing our appreciation to Under-Secretary- General Lacroix for his comprehensive briefing. My delegation supports the recommendations of the special report (S/2018/530) and would like to make the following observations. We are encouraged by the continuing improvement in the security situation in Darfur, as well as the overall reduction in intercommunal clashes and criminal activities. The arms collection campaign and the deployment of Government security forces have contributed to the improved security situation. They have consolidated the Government’s authority in Darfur and have created acceptable conditions for the exit strategy of African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). However, there is still insufficient progress in the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur. My delegation welcomes the extension of unilateral ceasefires by the Government and other parties, and underscores the need for a permanent ceasefire agreement to create an environment conducive to peace talks. We call on all parties in Darfur to meaningfully participate in an inclusive political process led by the African Union High-level Implementation Panel and supported by Joint Special Representative Mamabolo. Otherwise, the Security Council will need to consider appropriate measures to increase the pressure on those who undermine the peace process. With regard to the upcoming extension of UNAMID’s mandate, we would like to note the progress in implementing phases one and two of the reconfiguration of UNAMID and the absence of the reported adverse impact of the drawdown. These positive developments allow for UNAMID’s further drawdown and its repositioning, which should prioritize support for the peace process. It should also focus on addressing the root causes of conflict, including poverty, lack of basic services, drought and massive harvest failures and on providing a durable solution for internally displaced persons through existing planning documents, including the UNAMID-United Nations country team integrated strategic framework. Like many others, above all the three African members of the Security Council, we therefore support the proposal for a whole-of-system approach for Darfur with a new concept for UNAMID and a transition clause providing a solution with a two-year frame through four priority areas. Our delegation also supports the idea of developing an action plan based on the provisions of the Doha Document. The success of this concept, aimed at preventing relapse and preparing for the mission’s exit, will require a greater investment by the United Nations system delivering as one United Nations. That is necessary in order to streamline operations to meet the greater demand in the light of the personnel and resource constraints. The Government’s continued cooperation with the United Nations and the African Union, and its increased efforts aimed at improving the effectiveness of land management, provisions of access to basic services, ensuring the right of return and restitution of property, as well as increasing the presence of police and rule-of-law institutions in the areas of return are also critical. Finally, we underscore the importance of the development of a resource-mobilization strategy that will ensure the long-term financial support for sustaining peace in Darfur.

At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, for his valuable briefing on the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). I wish to deliver the following remarks. First, on the situation in Darfur, we welcome the continued security stability in Darfur, as was mentioned by Mr. Lacroix, as well as the positive impact of the weapons collection campaign and the reduction of intercommunal violence, despite some fighting on in the Jebel Marra area where Abdul Wahid Nour militias of the so-called the Sudan Liberation Army are present. We welcome the efforts of the Sudanese Government to ensure security and stability throughout Darfur. Turning to the rule of law, including security and judicial institutions, it is this area that is most in need of capacity-building for consolidating peace by anchoring justice and human rights. We reaffirm the importance of the support of UNAMID to the local Sudanese capabilities in this area. Regarding the political process, Kuwait continues to believe that the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur remains the cornerstone for discussions with all non-signatory parties. The Doha Document remains decisive in evaluating UNAMID’s performance. Secondly, with respect to the exit strategy, we welcome the contents of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2018/530) concerning the exit of UNAMID from Darfur. We would like to see more discussions among the Government of the Sudan, Member States and the Secretariat over the course of this month to set out a new mandate for the exit strategy, in line with the League of Arab States decision taken during its Jerusalem summit in April, which supports UNAMID’s exit strategy for Darfur. The next two years will give the Council the opportunity to make UNAMID’s mandate better tailored to reflect the needs on the ground, based on the Doha Document. Turning to support for the Sudan, one common element to be discerned our consideration of the various reports and the Secretariat’s briefings is the need to assist that country in meeting its humanitarian needs or to increase financial and moral support for sustaining development there, with the aim of achieving our main goal of sustaining peace. In conclusion, the State of Kuwait reaffirms its readiness to cooperate with the United Nations and the Sudanese Government and to support their efforts to strengthen stability in Darfur and to tackle the root causes of the conflict so as to ensure that it does not recur.

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

I would like to congratulate your country, Mr. President, on presiding over the Council this month. I would also like to congratulate your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Poland, for her wise and effective conduct of the Council’s work over the past month. I thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations for his briefing, as well as the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission for their report (S/2018/530), which is before us today. It has been a year since the Council adopted resolution 2363 (2017), which announced the start of the implementation of the exit strategy of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) from Darfur and its reconfiguration to conform, qualitatively and quantitatively, with developments on the ground. The situation has been progressing daily in all areas, particularly security and humanitarian. Those were the priorities of the UNAMID mandate. That progress has been reflected in more than eight successive reports over the past year. They have all underscored the progress achieved in Darfur. A number of the Council’s members have also taken note of that fact during their visits to Darfur on various occasions. That proves the authenticity of the resolution and its contents, as set forth in the provisions guiding the start of UNAMID’s exit strategy, while negotiating the decision to extend UNAMID’s mandate by the end of this month. I would like to draw the Security Council’s attention to the following facts and information. First, the Government of the Sudan intends to continue all activities to promote lasting peace and stability in Darfur. Second, we will continue to implement the weapons-collection campaign, which has demonstrated its effectiveness by alleviating tensions and disputes and by stabilizing the security situation in all states of Darfur. Third, we reaffirm that the issue of internally displaced persons will remain a top priority for the Government of the Sudan in the upcoming period. As the Security Council knows, the projects announced earlier by the Government underpin three elements that require the assistance of the international community in order for us to implement them. They all require vast material and human resources. We look forward to the genuine support of the international community in that regard. Fourth, we will pursue such exemplary cooperation among the Sudan, the AU and the United Nations, in particular the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support. We would like to underscore that the Peacebuilding Fund is also engaged in promoting the current peacebuilding phase. Fifth, the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur remains the only agreed political framework for addressing the political issue. The Government of the Sudan is therefore striving to implement its provisions on the ground. In cooperation and coordination with the sisterly State of Qatar, the sponsor of the Doha Document, the Government is looking at ways and means to implement the remaining provisions. In addition, we are cooperating with the High-level Independent Panel of the African Union and other partners to include the non-signatories in the peace process. We must emphasize that the international community should pressure the armed groups that have not signed the Doha Document to join the political process. Sixth, we underscore that the Government of the Sudan will continue to cooperate and coordinate with UNAMID in the upcoming period in order to enable the mission to smoothly fulfil its mandate and carry out its tasks. We will cooperate with the United Nations country team in the Sudan, which, we hope, will receive the necessary financial and human rights support to discharge the duties entrusted to it by UNAMID. Seventh, we must maintain our efforts to extend the State’s control in Darfur and to deploy more police units and rule of law institutions in all five states of Darfur. The current situation in Darfur speaks for itself. It proves the fact that peace has become tangible throughout Darfur, even in the small pockets under the control of the rebel Abdul Wahid movement. Popular sentiment supports full reconciliation and sustained peace. The Government of the Sudan is fully aware of the needs in the upcoming period, including the various social cohesion and development programmes, as well as the need to address the root causes of the conflict. We once again emphasize the need for the international community to provide the assistance necessary to implement such programmes by means of direct support or through the various United Nations agencies or its country team in the Sudan. In that regard, we call on donor countries to fulfil their previous pledges and commitments. 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 sisterly countries for their ongoing support to our people in Darfur. We take this opportunity to call for unity and consistency among all mechanisms set up by the Council to help the Sudan to bring about lasting peace in Darfur. The follow-up to the implementation of resolution 1591 (2005) on imposing targeted sanctions must be consistent with the Security Council resolve to restore normality, as provided for in resolution 2363 (2017). In that regard, we propose a reduction in the number of experts and the lifting of 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 the rebel Abdul Wahid Nour in implementation of the resolution, which warned about his designation on the sanctions list. The current situation is testament to the importance of empowering the Sudanese armed forces to lead and to have full control of entire Darfur region, thereby filling the gaps left following the withdrawal of UNAMID. That is why it is imperative to lift the arms embargo imposed on Darfur as soon as possible. In conclusion, we commend the comprehensive and concerted efforts made to conclude the peace process in Darfur. We once again welcome the new peacebuilding era, which will bring development and thus an end to the conflict. My delegation thanks UNAMID for its efforts in various areas, and peacekeepers for their sacrifices over the past years. We would also like to thank the 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 last of its components leaves my country after having brought about peace and stability in Darfur.

I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.