SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY RENEWS UNAMID MANDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000738 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SU AF SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY RENEWS UNAMID MANDATE REF: SECSTATE 79326 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Security Council on July 30 unanimously adopted Resolution 1881 to extend the mandate of the hybrid United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) until July 31, 2010. Unanimity on the UK-drafted text was achieved after intensive negotiations to arrive at a compromise, wherein the UK agreed to drop language referring to the Government of Sudan,s March 4 expulsion of non-governmental organizations in exchange for Libya agreeing to withdraw its proposed amendment referencing the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment of Sudanese President Bashir. There were no explanations of vote, nor did Sudan make a statement, and the tone of the adoption was low-key. The text of Resolution 1881 follows in paragraph 4. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) On July 30, the Security Council unanimously adopted UNSCR 1881, extending UNAMID's mandate until July 31, 2010. No country made an Explanation of Vote (EOV),and the Government of Sudan did not make a statement. The most contentious issue during negotiations was Libya,s proposed amendment referencing the African Union,s (AU) call for Article 16 deferral of the ICC indictment against Bashir and the recent AU decision of July 1-3 2009 calling for AU member states to refrain from cooperating with the ICC on the arrest warrant against Bashir. ¶3. (SBU) The United States maintained a firm position that no reference to the ICC indictment in the UNAMID mandate would be acceptable, noting that the U.S. abstained from the UNAMID mandate renewal in July 2008 due to the inclusion of such language. After the US, France and the UK sent demarches to Council members, in the third round of expert negotiations, it became clear to the Libyan delegation that there was insufficient support for its proposed amendment. The UK brokered a deal in which the UK dropped strong language condemning the Government of Sudan,s March 4 expulsion of NGOs in exchange for Libya agreeing to drop its controversial amendment. ¶4. (SBU) Begin text of UNSCR 1881: United Nations S/RES/1881 (2009) Security Council Distr.: General 30 July 2009 Resolution 1881 (2009) Adopted by the Security Council at its 6175th meeting, on 30 July 2009 The Security Council, Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and presidential statements concerning the situation in Sudan, �0A; Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan and its determination to work with the Government of Sudan, in full respect of its sovereignty, to assist in tackling the various challenges in Sudan, Recalling also its previous resolutions 1674 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, which reaffirms, inter alia, the relevant provisions of the United Nations World Summit outcome document, 1612 (2005) on children in armed conflict, 1502 (2003) on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, and 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women, peace and security, Taking note of the report on Children in Armed Conflict in Sudan dated 10 February 2009 (S/2009/84),including his recommendations, and the report on Children in Armed Conflict in the Sudan (S/2007/520) dated 29 August 2007, and recalling the conclusions endorsed by the Security Council Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict in Sudan (S/AC.51/2008/7), Welcoming the important role of the African Union, Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 14 July S/2009/357 on the AU/UN Hybrid peacekeeping operation in Darfur (UNAMID), Stressing the need for the Council to pursue a rigorous, strategic approach to peacekeeping deployments, Expressing concern, two years after the adoption of resolution 1769 (2007),at the continued seriousness of the security situation and deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Darfur, and at the recurring attacks on the civilian population, reiterating its condemnation of all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Darfur, calling on all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, emphasizing the need to bring to justice the USUN NEW Y 00000738 002 OF 003 perpetrators of such crimes and urging the Government of Sudan to comply with its obligations in this respect, Reaffirming its concern over the negative effect of the ongoing violence in Darfur on the stability of Sudan as a whole as well as the region, noting with concern the negative effect of ongoing tensions between the Governments of Sudan and Chad, reiterating that a reduction in these tensions and rebel activity in both countries must be addressed to achieve long-term peace in Darfur and in the region, and encouraging Sudan and Chad to engage constructively with the Dakar Contact Group and the international community, Expressing its strong commitment and determination to promote and support the political process in Darfur, and the efforts of the Chief Mediator, and deploring the fact that some groups continue to refuse to join the political process, Determining that the situation in Sudan constitutes a threat to international peace and security, ¶1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNAMID as set out in resolution 1769 (2007) for a further 12 months to 31 July 2010; ¶2. Underlines the need for UNAMID to make full use of its mandate and capabilities, particularly with regard to (a) the protection of civilians across Darfur, and (b) ensuring safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access, the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and the protection of humanitarian convoys; ¶3. Commends the contribution of troop and police contributing countries and donors to UNAMID; calls on United Nations Member States to pledge and contribute the remaining helicopter, aerial reconnaissance, ground transport, medical and logistical units and other force enablers required; underlines the need for capable battalions effectively able to carry out UNAMID,s mandated tasks; in this regard requests the continuing assistance of donors in ensuring battalions are suitably trained and equipped; and further requests UNAMID to examine how it could maximise the use of its capabilities in Darfur; ¶4. Welcomes the improvement in the Government of Sudan,s co-operation with UNAMID, commends the credible work of the Tripartite Commission, calls on all parties in Darfur to remove all obstacles to the full and expeditious deployment of UNAMID and the proper discharge of its mandate, including by ensuring its security and freedom of movement; and in this regard calls on the Government of Sudan comply with the Status of Forces Agreement fully and without delay, particularly the timely provision of visas for UNAMID personnel and of flight and equipment clearances; ¶5. Reiterates its condemnation of previous attacks on UNAMID by armed groups; underlines that any attack or threat on UNAMID is unacceptable; demands that there be no recurrence of such attacks; and stresses the need to enhance the safety and security of UNAMID personnel; ¶6. Stresses the importance of achievable and realistic targets against which the progress of United Nations peacekeeping operations can be measured; and in this regard requests the Secretary General, following consultations with the African Union, to: (a) submit, for the Council,s consideration, a strategic work plan containing benchmarks to measure and track progress being made by UNAMID in implementing its mandate, (b) include in his next report an assessment of progress made against these benchmarks, as well as consequent recommendations regarding UNAMID,s mandate and configuration, and (c) report to the Council every 90 days thereafter on progress made towards implementing UNAMID,s mandate across Darfur, as well as on progress on the political process, on the security and humanitarian situation and on all parties compliance with their international obligations; ¶7. Demands that all parties to the conflict in Darfur immediately end violence, attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel, and comply with their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law; calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to commit themselves to a sustained and permanent ceasefire; request the Secretary General to consult with relevant parties with a view to developing a more effective ceasefire monitoring mechanism; and underlines the need for UNAMID to report on major instances of violence which undermines the parties, full and constructive efforts towards peace; USUN NEW Y 00000738 003 OF 003 ¶8. Reiterates there can be no military solution to the conflict in Darfur and that an inclusive political settlement and the successful deployment of UNAMID are essential to re-establishing peace; reaffirms its full support for the AU/UN led political process for Darfur and the work of Joint Chief Mediator Mr. Djibrill Yipn Bassol; demands that all parties to the conflict, including all rebel groups, immediately engage fully and constructively in the peace process without preconditions, including by entering into talks under the mediation of Mr. Bassol with a view to finalising a Framework Agreement; welcomes the work of Qatar and Libya in this regard and the support of other countries in the region; calls on UNAMID to support the Joint Chief Mediator and the Joint Mediation Team; and underlines the need for the engagement of civil society, including women and women-led organizations, community groups and tribal leaders in order to create a conducive environment for peace and security through constructive and open dialogue; ¶9. Calls on Sudan and Chad to abide by their obligations under the Doha Agreement of 3 May 2009, the Dakar Agreement of 13 March 2008, and previous bilateral agreements; and reaffirms the need for both countries to engage constructively with the Dakar Contact Group with a view to normalizing relations, ceasing support for armed groups, strengthening actions to combat armed trafficking in the region, the establishment of effective joint border monitoring, and co-operating through diplomatic means to establish peace and stability in Darfur and the wider region; ¶10. Notes that conflict in one area of Sudan affects other areas of Sudan and the wider region; and urges UNAMID to co-ordinate closely with other United Nations, missions in the region, including the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT); ¶11. Requests UNAMID, consistent with its current capabilities and mandate, to assist and complement UNMIS, efforts in preparing for credible national elections through the provision of advice and assistance where required; ¶12. Expresses its serious concern at the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Darfur, calls for the full implementation of the Communique between the Government of Sudan and the United Nations on Facilitation of Humanitarian Activities in Darfur; and demands that the Government of Sudan, all militias, armed groups and all other stakeholders ensure the full, safe and unhindered access of humanitarian organizations and relief personnel and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to populations in need; ¶13. Demands that all parties to the conflict in Darfur create the conditions conducive to allowing the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons, ¶14. Demands that the parties to the conflict immediately take appropriate measures to protect civilians, including women and children, from all forms of sexual violence, in line with resolution 1820 (2008); and requests the Secretary-General to develop a comprehensive strategy for providing protection to women and girls from sexual violence and Gender Based Violence and to ensure that the relevant provisions of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 are implemented by UNAMID and to include information on this in his reporting to the Council; ¶15. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure (a) continued monitoring and reporting, as part of the reports referred to in paragraph 6 above, of the situation of children and (b) continued dialogue with the parties to the conflict towards the preparation of time bound action plans to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers and other violations of international humanitarian law against children; ¶16. Decides to remain seized of the matter. End Text. RICE