NOTE from Sudan Watch editor: This is worrying. 17 years ago it took much work by thousands of people around the world to get peacekeepers into Darfur, western Sudan to help protect civilians and humanitarian aid. This month China has the presidency of the UN Security Council during which time several meetings on Sudan and South Sudan are expected. Reportedly, the Council is likely adopt a resolution establishing a follow-on presence of the UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) by 31 March.
The proposed resolution (I cannot find the draft resolution) would eliminate the main mission of UNAMID — the protection of civilians in Darfur. Here is the most worrying part: that responsibility would be handed over to the transitional government formed last August by the military and civilian protesters following the ouster of Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir. Read more below including possible implications of 2019–20 coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019–20_coronavirus_pandemic] on International Peace and Security.
Let's hope that the flow of humanitarian relief to people in need is not adversely affected. At least 5m people in South Sudan are suffering terrible poverty.
Apart from feeling sad about the pain and suffering caused by poverty and COVID-19, I hope that the pandemic will reset the world and peoples' hearts.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space who has flown two Space Shuttle missions and served as commander of the International Space Station (ISS), once said that what they think about when gazing out of the windows of their spaceship is where their loved ones are. Not worldly goods, only love.
The proposed resolution (I cannot find the draft resolution) would eliminate the main mission of UNAMID — the protection of civilians in Darfur. Here is the most worrying part: that responsibility would be handed over to the transitional government formed last August by the military and civilian protesters following the ouster of Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir. Read more below including possible implications of 2019–20 coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019–20_coronavirus_pandemic] on International Peace and Security.
Let's hope that the flow of humanitarian relief to people in need is not adversely affected. At least 5m people in South Sudan are suffering terrible poverty.
Apart from feeling sad about the pain and suffering caused by poverty and COVID-19, I hope that the pandemic will reset the world and peoples' hearts.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space who has flown two Space Shuttle missions and served as commander of the International Space Station (ISS), once said that what they think about when gazing out of the windows of their spaceship is where their loved ones are. Not worldly goods, only love.
Incidentally, according to Wikipedia [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Hadfield ] Chris Hadfield is enthusiastic about the prospects for a manned mission to Mars, and when asked in 2011 if he would consider a one-way journey to Mars to be the first to visit, he said "I would be honoured to be given the opportunity."
On May 12, 2013, after handing over command of the ISS, but before returning home, Chris released a music video recorded on the ISS of a modified rendition of "Space Oddity" by David Bowie. As of January 2020, the video has over 45 million views on YouTube. Here is the video, filmed at a time when he could not be sure of his safe return to Earth. The lyrics are out of this world.
Proposed UN resolution would support Sudan’s peace efforts
Report from The Associated Press (AP)
By EDITH M. LEDERER and JUSTIN LYNCH
Dated Thursday 19 March 2020
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A proposed U.N. Security Council resolution would replace the joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force in Sudan’s restive Darfur region with a U.N. political and peace-building mission whose primary aim would be to support Sudan’s fragile transition to democracy including in drafting a new constitution and preparing for elections.
The draft resolution, obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, would basically eliminate the main mission of the U.N.-AU force known as UNAMID — the protection of civilians in Darfur. That responsibility would be handed over to the transitional government formed last August by the military and civilian protesters following the ouster of the country’s longtime autocratic ruler Omar al-Bashir.
The proposed resolution would establish “a political, peace support and peace-building mission,” to be known as the United Nations Political and Peace-building Integrated Mission in Sudan or UNPPIMS, starting May 1 for an initial period of one year.
It would authorize the deployment of up to 2,500 international police and one battalion for a quick reaction force — usually between 500 and 800 troops — to protect U.N. personnel, facilities and humanitarian workers. The police and troops would also be authorized “to help create a protective environment by protecting civilians being subjected to or under imminent threat of physical violence, particularly in the hot spot areas of the Darfur states” — but the draft stresses that the government has primary responsibility for protecting its people.
The draft resolution largely follows the recommendations in a report to the council earlier this week by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki.
Human Rights Watch criticized the report, saying withdrawing peacekeepers threatens the safety of civilians in Darfur.
Kenneth Roth, its executive director, said the council should recognize “that Darfur requires a far more gradual withdrawal” because “past and ongoing violence there means civilians can’t trust Sudanese security forces alone and still look to peacekeepers for protection.”
The Darfur conflict began in 2003 when ethnic Africans rebelled, accusing the Arab-dominated Sudanese government of discrimination. The government in Khartoum was accused of retaliating by arming local nomadic Arab tribes and unleashing them on civilian populations — a charge it denies.
In recent years, as the result of a successful government military campaign, the rebellion has been reduced to a rebel Sudan Liberation Army faction headed by Abdul Wahid Elnur in Jebel Marra.
There has been pressure, including from the Trump administration, to scale down the UNAMID force, which was established in 2007 and was one of the U.N.’s most expensive operations. In June 2016 it had a ceiling of 15,845 military personnel and 3,403 police.
In July 2018, the Security Council voted to dramatically cut the force in response to reduced fighting and improved security conditions.
The target then was to end the mission in June 30, 2020. But the mass street protests by a pro-democracy movement which began in late 2018 and led to last year’s ouster of Al-Bashir caused a delay.
A power-sharing agreement signed in August 2019 between the military and protesters called for the government to reach a peace agreement with armed groups within six months. The military-civilian government, which is facing an economic crisis, has been engaging in peace talks with rebel groups since October, hoping to end the insurgencies in order to slash military spending, which takes up much of the national budget.
The draft resolution would authorize the new U.N. mission, if asked, to support implementation of any future peace agreements including monitoring cease-fires, and supporting disarmament, demobilization and measures promoting accountability and transitional justice, not only in Darfur but also in conflict-wracked Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.
The report by Guterres and Faki said the overall security situation remained unchanged in most parts of Darfur, except West Darfur which experienced a series of violent incidents, though they reported “civil unrest” throughout the vast western region.
According to the report, UNAMID has developed “a drawdown and liquidation plan” that envisages the closure of its 14 bases between April and Oct. 31, the repatriation of military and police personnel, and a significant reduction of its civilian staff. It said this will be followed by administrative and logistical liquidation activities for a period of at least six months.
As of January, UNAMID had over 4,300 military personnel, over 2,100 international police, and about 1,500 civilian staff.
The draft resolution “underlines that a continued strategic and political partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in Sudan remains critical” and calls for close cooperation between UNPPIMS and UNAMID as well as with U.N. missions in South Sudan, Libya and in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan.
Lynch reported from Khartoum, Sudan
View Original: https://apnews.com/439923c48764b6d9470ac646fb69990c
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Possible implications of COVID-19 on International Peace and Security
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UN SECURITY COUNCIL MONTHLY FORECAST MARCH 2020
In March, China has the presidency. Several meetings on Sudan are expected. The Council is likely to adopt a resolution establishing a follow-on presence to UNAMID by 31 March.
Prior to this, the Council expects to receive a briefing on the special report of the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, followed by consultations.
In addition, the chair of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Sven Jürgenson (Estonia), will provide the quarterly briefing on the committee’s work.
Other meetings on African issues include South Sudan [ https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2020-03/south-sudan-7.php ] an update on UNMISS and the renewal of the mission’s mandate.
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THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL
23 - 27 March 2020
On Thursday (26 March), the Council is scheduled to adopt several resolutions, although it is unclear whether (due to Coronavirus Covid-19 - see more below) this will be done via videoconferencing or in person. These include resolutions on the UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID)
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- UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID): Mandate Renewal
Tomorrow (31 October), the Security Council is scheduled to adopt a resolution extending the mandate of the UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) until 31 October 2020. The initial draft was circulated by the UK and Germany, the penholders on...
posted on WED 30 OCT 2019
UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) Mandate Renewal
Tomorrow (27 June), the Security Council is scheduled to adopt a resolution extending the mandate of the UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) until 31 October. The initial draft was circulated by the UK and Germany, the penholders on Darfur,...
posted on WED 26 JUN 2019
AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur: Briefing and Consultations
Tomorrow (14 June), Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix is scheduled to brief the Security Council on the UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and the special report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission and the UN Secretary-General on...
posted on THU 13 JUN 2019
AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur: Briefing and Consultations
Tomorrow (17 April), the Security Council will be briefed on the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report (S/2019/305) on the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) by Joint Special Representative and head of UNAMID Jeremiah Mamabolo (via video-teleconference from Khartoum). Assistant Secretary-General...
posted on TUE 16 APR 2019
AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur: Briefing and Consultations
On Monday (25 February), the Security Council will be briefed by Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Bintou Keita on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report (S/2019/44) on the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). The briefing will be followed by consultations, which may...
posted on SUN 24 FEB 2019
Sudan Sanctions Regime Renewal
This afternoon (7 February), the Security Council is set to adopt a resolution extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee until 12 March 2020. The US, the penholder on Sudan sanctions, circulated a...
posted on THU 7 FEB 2019
Sudan Sanctions Committee Briefing
Tomorrow (17 January), Ambassador Joanna Wronecka (Poland), chair of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee, is expected to provide the quarterly briefing to the Security Council on the work of the Committee. The briefing will be public, continuing Poland’s practice of...
posted on WED 16 JAN 2019
AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur: Briefing and Consultations
On Monday (22 October), Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix is scheduled to brief the Security Council on the UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and the Secretary-General’s 90-day report (S/2018/912). The briefing will be followed by consultations. The Secretary-General’s...
posted on FRI 19 OCT 2018
UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) Mandate Renewal
Tomorrow (13 July), the Security Council is scheduled to adopt a resolution renewing the mandate of the UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) until 30 June 2019. This follows the 29 June adoption of resolution 2425, a technical rollover of...
posted on THU 12 JUL 2018
Central African Republic and Sudan: Informal Interactive Dialogue on Joint AU-UN Visit
Tomorrow (18 April), Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui (via VTC) are expected to brief Council members in an informal interactive dialogue on their joint visit to Sudan and the Central...
posted on TUE 17 APR 2018
Sudan (Darfur): Briefing and Consultations on UNAMID and the 1591 Sanctions Committee
Tomorrow morning (14 March), the Security Council is expected to hold a briefing on the UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). Joint Special Representative for Darfur and head of UNAMID Jeremiah Mamabolo is expected to brief (via VTC) on the...
posted on TUE 13 MAR 2018
AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID): Presidential Statement
Tomorrow (31 January), the Security Council is scheduled to adopt a presidential statement on the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). The initial draft was circulated by the UK as penholder to the full Council on Monday (22 January). After...
posted on TUE 30 JAN 2018
UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur Mandate Renewal
Tomorrow (29 June), the Security Council is scheduled to renew the mandate of the UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for an additional year. The draft was initially scheduled for adoption on 27 June; however, adoption was delayed due to...
posted on WED 28 JUN 2017
UN DOCUMENTS ON DARFUR
| Selected Security Council Resolutions | View All |
| 11 FEBRUARY 2020S/RES/2508 | This resolution extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts for one year. |
| 31 OCTOBER 2019S/RES/2495 | This resolution renewed UNAMID’s mandate until 31 October 2020. |
| 27 JUNE 2019S/RES/2479 | This resolution extended the mandate of UNAMID until 31 October 2019. |
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Possible implications of COVID-19 on International Peace and Security
Report from and by WHAT’S IN BLUE.org - Insights on the work of the UN Security Council
Dated Saturday 21 March 2020. Excerpt:
The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has since January already claimed over 12,950 lives globally and has had an impact on more than 180 countries and territories.
Since the highly contagious nature of this virus has prompted social distancing, the Council decided to postpone all of its meetings scheduled for the week of March 16. While the Council members made only one public statement during that period—a press statement on Central African Republic, agreed electronically—they spent the week testing video-conferencing. It remains unclear whether Council members will seek to meet in person during the current crisis.
Aside from its impact on the Council’s functioning, the current crisis has other potential impacts on international peace and security. First, the health of UN peacekeepers in missions that the Council authorises is likely to become a significant concern. This was the case with the two health crises that the Council has grappled with previously: HIV/AIDS and Ebola.
However, unlike Ebola, which was concentrated in a specific region (West Africa in 2014-2015) or country (the Democratic Republic of the Congo more recently), COVID-19 is a global pandemic, and unlike HIV/AIDS, the onset of dire symptoms occurs within days or weeks. To help maintain the safety of peacekeepers, it may become essential to enhance the capacity in different missions to provide care in the field or medical evacuation as needed. Read more: https://www.whatsinblue.org/2020/03/possible-implications-of-covid-19-on-international-peace-and-security.php
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