Summary: EU Presidency Statement - Security Council Public Meeting on Sudan (New York, 9 May 2006)
United Nations Security Council Public Meeting on Sudan; Statement by Ms. Ursula Plassnik, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria, on behalf of the European Union.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) last Friday by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Army/ Movement led by Mr. Minni Minawi represents a major step forward for Darfur, Sudan and the entire African continent. Throughout the process, the EU has fully supported the efforts of the AU. At the Sixth EU-Africa Ministerial Troika Meeting in Vienna, yesterday, we agreed a Joint Final Communiqué. We acknowledged that the DPA paves the way for the rapid improvement of the
humanitarian and security situation on the ground, including the protection of the civilian population and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, as well as the restoration of lasting peace and reconciliation in the region. We expressed appreciation to the African Union and the facilitation of Nigeria for their efforts as well as for the support to the AU by the international community throughout the negotiation process.
Mr. President,
I would like to focus on four aspects which the European Union regards as crucial in connection with the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and which were broadly shared during our talks in Vienna, yesterday, by the African Ministerial Troika:
1) First, it is of utmost importance that all parties to the conflict subscribe to the DPA. We strongly urge the JEM and the SLA/M faction led by Mr. Abdul Wahid to sign the agreement before the deadline of the next meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, which is currently expected to be held on 15 May. The leaders of these movements have a historic responsibility to contribute to securing peace in Darfur. In the longer term, we also look forward to the possible contribution of the
planned all-inclusive Darfur-Darfur Dialogue in this respect.
2) Second, as Mr. Minawi said at the signing ceremony in Abuja last Friday, the goal of the DPA is to establish peace on the ground, not just on paper. The EU reminds all parties to the conflict of their responsibility to implement all provisions of the DPA in good faith and in full. In this context, I would like to reiterate the EU's support for making full use of the measures set out in Resolution 1591 against those who are impeding the peace process.
3) Third, there is an urgent need to strengthen AMIS in order to enable it to fully carry out the critical role assigned to it in the implementation of the DPA until such time as a United Nations force can take over these functions. We fully support the convening, at an early date, by the Secretary-General and the AU of a pledging conference to support the strengthend AMIS.
4) Fourth, the EU believes that the agreement achieved in Abuja opens the way for the establishment of a UN peace-keeping mission in Darfur. It is imperative that the necessary preparatory steps are now undertaken without delay - chief among these is the dispatch of a joint UN/AU assessment mission to the Darfur region, in order to enable UN planners to get a clear picture of planning needs. In this respect, we are looking forward to the Secretary General's detailed planning proposals for a UN
operation in Darfur and encourage him to hold early consultations with potential troop contributing countries for such an operation.
Mr. President,
The European Union's support for the African Union will not waver over the coming months. We have recently decided to contribute another 50 million € from the African Peace Facility to AMIS, in addition to the 162 million € already provided. We are also ready to continue to provide technical and logistic support to AMIS. Furthermore, the European Commission has recently pledged 100 million € for a humanitarian and initial recovery package. We are confident that other partners will continue
their strong support for the Darfur peace process, as well.
Mr. President,
We must insist that all parties involved live up to their commitments contained in the Darfur Peace Agreement. The tragic events yesterday in Kalma IDP camp are just another reminder of how dire the situation has become and that the humanitarian and security situation need to be urgently improved. After the terrible years of war and violence, we have a responsibility towards the people of Darfur to give them hope and to make peace in Darfur a reality.
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