AFRICAN UNION
lA/ii jUtji
UNIAO AFRICANA
P.O. Box: 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel.:(251 -11) 551 38 22 Fax: (251-11) 551 93 21
Email: situationroom@africa-union.org, oau-ews@ethionet.et
PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 271st MEETING
8 APRIL 2011
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
PSC/PR/COMM. (CCLXXI)
COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 271st MEETING
OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 271st meeting held in Addis Ababa on 8 April 2011, reviewed the situation in the Sudan, in the light of the briefing provided by the Joint Special Representative for the African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and the presentation made by former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Pierre Buyoya, on behalf of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) for Sudan. Council also listened to a statement made by the representative of the Government of the Sudan, and adopted the following decision on the situation in that country:
Council,
Recalls its earlier decisions on the situation in the Sudan. Council expresses concern at the prevailing insecurity in some parts of Darfur, which has led to the loss of human life and has impacted negatively on the humanitarian situation. Council issues an urgent call to the Government of Sudan and the armed movements to exercise restraint and refrain from any action likely to compound the security situation on the ground;
Strongly condemns the attacks on the personnel of UNAMID and the humanitarian agencies operating in Darfur, including the recent attack perpetrated on 5 April 2011, which resulted in the death of a peacekeeper. Council encourages the Government of Sudan to spare no efforts to identify the perpetrators of these criminal acts and bring them to justice;
Notes with satisfaction the progress made in the deployment of UNAMID military, police and formed police components, which have now reached 91%, 79%, and 84%, respectively, of their authorized strength. Council commends the AU-UN Joint Special Representative for UNAMID, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and the personnel of the Mission, for their dedication and contribution to the promotion of lasting peace and reconciliation in Darfur. Council also takes note of the new robust policy of UNAMID in implementing its mandate, and expresses satisfaction with the positive results already achieved;
Stresses that achieving peace in Darfur is a matter of urgency, recognizing that the people of Darfur have been waiting for peace for too long;
Commends the efforts of the AUHIP and the Joint Special Representative in seeking solutions to the problems of Darfur and expresses its full backing for their continued partnership in this regard;
Recalls the decision adopted at its meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government, in Abuja, on 29 October 2009, and the decision of the Sudan Consultative Forum of 6 November 2010, in which a three-track strategy for dealing with Darfur was adopted: the Doha peace talks; the Darfur Political Process (DDP) and early recovery and development.
Council reiterates that these three tracks should be implemented simultaneously and in parallel;
Notes the progress made in the preparation for the commencement of the DPP and expresses concern with the delay encountered and calls for its immediate commencement and proposes the date of 1 May 2011, for the commencement of the DPP. Council requests UNAMID to make all necessary preparations for the DPP as a matter of priority, and emphasizes that it should proceed in a manner concurrent with and complementary to the Doha Talks;
Notes that it has repeatedly stressed the need for the Joint Chief Mediator to liaise closely with the AUHIP and coordinate his efforts and initiatives with the Panel, especially those that could affect the other tracks, including extending the deadline for the completion of the Doha process. Council regrets that such coordination has not taken place and that, as a consequence, the necessary coordination and harmonization between the Doha process and the DPP and other AU policies, do not yet exist;
Requests that the Commission issues instructions to the Joint Chief Mediator, to consult with it and the AUHIP, before taking any further decisions, especially those relating to any extension of the Doha peace process. Council further requests that the Mediator provides a comprehensive report on his activities and any future plans by 30 April 2011;
Notes that an expedited and coordinated conclusion to the Doha peace process is particularly important in view of the Sudanese national timetable, which includes the independence of South Sudan on 9 July 2011, and subsequent adoption of a permanent national constitution. Darfur is an integral part of Sudan, and it is essential that the peace process and the political process in Darfur are accelerated, so that the national political process is not held up, or that the people of Darfur are not left behind in the national political process;
Welcomes the stated commitment of the Government of Sudan to contribute to the creation of an enabling environment for the DPP, including suspending the State of Emergency in Darfur. Council calls on all Darfurian communities, stakeholders, political parties and armed movements to participate in the DPP, which should enjoy the confidence of all the people of Darfur;
Encourages the Government of Sudan and other stakeholders, as may be necessary, to implement the recommendations of the report of the African Union High-Level Panel on Darfur, particularly in the fields of justice, reconciliation and security;
Underscores the need to intensify the search for peace in Darfur in earnest, as it has implications for the viability of the two Sudan states post-9 July 2011;
Requests the UN Security Council to continue extending and strengthening partnership and support to the African Union, under the leadership of the AUHIP, in resolving Sudan's political challenges in a manner consistent with the fundamental principles of the two Organizations.