SECURITY COUNCIL RESPONDS TO AU REPORT ON DARFUR,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 001158 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SU AF SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL RESPONDS TO AU REPORT ON DARFUR, URGES CPA IMPLEMENTATION ¶1. (SBU) Summary. In a December 21 briefing on the Report of the African Union High-level Panel on Darfur, Secretary General Ban praised the Panel's work and called for continuing efforts to encourage both the Government of Sudan (GOS) and rebel movements to embrace the peace process. African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Ping urged international support for the Report's recommendations and AU Chairperson Mbeki emphasized that broad consensus exists in Darfur among the needed steps to achieve of peace, justice and reconciliation. All delegations expressed support for the Darfur peace process, including the efforts of Joint Chief Mediator Bassole, and reiterated support for UNMIS and UNAMID. Most also welcomed the Report of the AU's High Level Panel on Darfur. All delegations highlighted the critical importance of both the 2010 elections and the 2011 referenda, and urged Sudan to maintain peace and stability before, during and after the votes. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) In a December 21 briefing to the Security Council on the Report of the African Union High-level Panel on Darfur, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for continuing efforts to encourage the Government of Sudan (GOS) and rebel movements to make concessions and embrace the consensus being built by UN-AU Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole. Ban was complimentary of the Panel's report, stating that panel members have, "clearly articulated the links between the crisis in Darfur and broader efforts to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)." He stressed that "it will be the Sudanese people who solve Sudan's problems," but added that by working together, the United Nations and the African Union can provide critical assistance on the "difficult journey towards lasting peace and prosperity." Ban called for continuing support for Mr. Bassole and underscored the importance of upcoming elections, stressing that the parties must engage in genuine cooperation following the vote, regardless of the outcome. ¶3. (SBU) Chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping urged international support for the High-level Panel's recommendations, as well as for an implementation process in the spirit of peace, justice, security and reconciliation of Sudan. He explained that the High-Level Panel worked for six months, including more than 40 days in both Government-controlled and opposition-controlled areas in Darfur, to arrive at their "comprehensive approach". Ping stated that the African Union Peace and Security Council had asked him to establish a high-level panel to facilitate implementation of the report's recommendations and help the Sudanese parties implement the CPA and other processes. This panel will be composed of former Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Pierre Buyoya and Abdulsalami Abubakar. Ping stated that Sudan is on the eve of two major events, the results of which cannot be underestimated: the April 2010 general elections, which will mark an important step in Sudan's democratic transformation, and the January 2011 self-determination referenda, which will allow the population of southern Sudan to determine its future. Ping underscored that these events will have "considerable consequences for Sudan and the rest of Africa." ¶4. (SBU) Chairperson of the African Union's High-level Panel on Darfur Thabo Mbeki emphasized that the Panel consulted with Sudanese stakeholders in producing its report, and that there is broad consensus among them about what must be done to rapidly achieve peace, justice and reconciliation. The Panel attached great importance to concluding Darfur negotiations before the general elections to avoid marginalizing Darfur's people. Mbeki stated that the Panel will encourage the parties both in Darfur and the rest of Sudan to respond expeditiously to the Chief Mediator's initiatives. Due to the long-standing concentration of power and wealth in Khartoum, it is "self-evident" that restructuring Sudan as a whole is critical in order to build a "new Sudan." Mbeki called for international support for the Sudanese people, including by encouraging political parties to create a climate for free and fair elections. Mbeki pointed to the continuing challenge of implementing the CPA agreement and urged the GOS to work on reducing tensions. Once a comprehensive political agreement is in place, the Security Council should ensure that UNAMID has the necessary capacity to take on additional tasks. Mbeki expressed concern about the short time frame to resolve the Darfur conflict and called for the challenges in Sudan to be addressed simultaneously and urgently. ¶5. (SBU) In a closed debate following the briefing, Ambassador DiCarlo outlined the three goals being pursued by the U.S. in Sudan - first, ending the conflict, including gross human rights abuses and genocide in Darfur; second, implementing the CPA; and third, ensuring Sudan does not USUN NEW Y 00001158 002 OF 003 provide a terrorist safe haven. Highlighting UNAMID's importance in protecting civilians, DiCarlo called on troop-contributing countries and other UN member states to provide forces and assets, and reiterated U.S. support for strengthening UNAMID's civilian component. DiCarlo emphasized U.S. support for Joint Chief Mediator Bassole, and stated that a comprehensive political solution is the best way to end Darfur's marginalization and provide it with a voice in Sudan's political process. The international community should continue to push for full CPA implementation, including demarcation of the North-South border, implementation of the Permanent Court of Arbitration decision on Abyei and implementation of resource-sharing arrangements. Calling elections an "important milestone in the implementation of the CPA," DiCarlo urged sufficient security to permit safe voting, as well as respect for civil liberties, including freedom of expression. ¶6. (SBU) All delegations expressed support for the Darfur peace process, including the efforts of Joint Chief Mediator Bassole, and reiterated support for UNMIS and UNAMID. Most welcomed the Report of the AU's High Level Panel on Darfur, in particular Mbeki's efforts to address Sudan's long-term challenges. Uganda stated that the Panel's "holistic and comprehensive" recommendations provide a sound framework for building durable peace in Sudan," while noting that they must be implemented in an expeditious manner. Austria commended the Panel for this "thorough and well-balanced report," and urged the GOS to consider the report's recommendations for justice and reconciliation. Croatia praised the "well-defined" steps in the Panel's report and said that they provide valuable guidance for joint AU-UN missions. Libya stated that the report provides a "solid foundation" for positive discussions towards peace and emphasized that the implementation of the CPA is at a "critical juncture" with the approaching elections and tribal conflicts erupting in the South. China emphasized its support of the AU and expressed hope that the report's recommendations be considered. While expressing hope that the report will contribute to the peace process, Japan was cautious, stating that some of the recommendations "require more detailed examination." Additionally, all delegations addressed the importance of the upcoming 2010 general elections and the 2011 referenda. France called these events, "a crucial phrase in the history of Sudan," and urged the international community to help support Sudan maintain peace and stability in the lead up to elections. The United Kingdom focused on the challenges facing Sudan over the next 18 months, pointing to the critical importance of the elections and referenda. Darfur Peace Process -------------- ¶7. (SBU) France urged rapid advancement of the peace process to ensure Darfur's participation in 2010 elections and help alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Russia focused on the renewal of negotiations and underscored the importance of making, "a unified Sudan an attractive option." China said that advancing the peace process is a top priority, stating that Sudan is making "steady headway" while facing challenges and uncertainties. Mexico encouraged a comprehensive approach, emphasizing three fundamental aspects - peace, justice and reconciliation. Mexico further stressed that the United Nations, UNAMID and Chief Mediator Bassole be closely involved with any new AU efforts towards peace, and underscored that buy-in from political parties will be critical for any new process. Croatia also focused on a comprehensive peace process, stating that parties should "disengage militarily and reengage politically." Libya said the International Community should provide a suitable atmosphere and climate for the peace process by "respecting Sudan's sovereignty and unity." Libya also addressed the importance of national development projects to increase living standards in Darfur and in southern Sudan. Council Addresses Impunity -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Impunity was also highlighted by several delegations, including Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Mexico, Japan, Uganda and Vietnam. France stated that there can be no peace and stability in Darfur without justice and an end to impunity, and recalled Sudan's obligation to cooperate with the International Criminal Court as expressed in UNSCR 1593. Croatia called for strengthening Sudan's national justice system while urging the maintenance of the ICC's judicial mandate. Libya, however, stated that the ICC's call to arrest President Bashir will "derail prospects for peace" in Sudan and negatively impact the Doha agreement. Uganda focused on its support of a hybrid court USUN NEW Y 00001158 003 OF 003 as well as an investigative body to assist both victims of crime and human rights abuses. Austria also expressed support for a hybrid court, but only for the most serious crimes. Mexico, however, urged caution, stating that the use of hybrid tribunals should be analyzed with care, as they should not be used as a justification for lack of compliance with international obligations under UNSCR 1593. Costa Rica called for support for a new judicial institution to handle crimes of sexual violence and called for an end to immunity for public officials in Sudan. ¶9. (U) At the close of consultations, Council Members agreed to issue the following press statement on Darfur. Begin statement: The members of the Security Council received a briefing from former President Thabo Mbeki and AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping on 21 December on the report and recommendations of the AU High Level Implementation Panel on Darfur, and subsequent decisions of the AU Peace and Security Council. The members of the Security Council welcomed the report and underlined their appreciation for the balanced and comprehensive nature of the recommendations to promote peace, justice and reconciliation in Darfur and Sudan as a whole. They looked forward to the implementation of a holistic approach to the problems facing Sudan and supported efforts aimed at the peaceful and democratic transformation of Sudan in line with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The members of the Security Council agreed with the report that the causes and consequences of the conflict in Darfur have yet to be addressed. They reiterated their support for UNMIS and UNAMID, and for the work of the UN-AU Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole to promote a lasting political settlement for Darfur. They reiterated their call for all parties that have not yet done so to fully commit to, and participate in, peace talks. The members of the Security Council called for the Government of Sudan and other parties in Sudan and the region to work with President Mbeki and his colleagues in coordination with the international community as appropriate. End Statement. RICE