Showing posts with label UNSC on Sudan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNSC on Sudan. Show all posts

Thursday, December 21, 2023

UK to raise security situation in Sudan in UNSC today

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Thursday, July 13, 2023

ICC Khan briefs UN Security Council on Darfur, Sudan

This ICC tweet says, Today: #ICC Prosecutor @KarimKhanQC will brief the #UNSC on the Situation in #Darfur, Sudan. Tune in 15:00 NY Time / 21:00 The Hague Time @UNWebTV https://media.un.org/en/asset/k15/k15amh2bpl. Watch on Twitter.

Note from Sudan Watch Ed: @KarimKhanQC should read @KarimKhanKC (King's Counsel instead of Queen's Counsel) but an additional Twitter account would have to be created. The above tweet was posted at 11:00 AM on Thursday 13 July 2023. The time in the UK to watch the live stream* at UN Web TV https://media.un.org/en/asset/k15/k15amh2bpl is London (BST) 20:00 PM on Thursday 13 July. Not sure if it can be viewed at another time on catchup. *Description: Summary 1) Sudan and South Sudan - Security Council, 9375th meeting. 2) Non-proliferation/Democratic People's Republic of Korea - Security Council, 9376th meeting.

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ICC Khan met Sudan rep for briefing UNSC on Darfur

This ICC tweet says: #ICC Prosecutor @KarimKhanQC met w/ H.E Mr. Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed, Permanent Representative of Sudan to the United Nations. Key messages addressed ahead of briefing by Prosecutor Khan to #UN Security Council on the situation in #Darfur. Note, the tweet was posted at 9:23 PM on Wednesday 12 July 2023.

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UN essential partner for ICC in delivering for victims

This ICC tweet says: Ahead of briefing to #UNSC on the situation in #Darfur, #ICC Prosecutor @KarimKhanQC met w/@DicarloRosemary, @UNUnder-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. @UN an essential partner for the #ICC in delivering for victims of atrocity crimes globally. Note, the tweet was posted at 8:59 PM on Wednesday 12 July 2023.

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Saturday, June 24, 2023

UN Security Council calls for halt to fighting in Sudan & civilian protection. 85 groups reached 2.8M people

Note, this report describes the fighting in Sudan as war. It is conflict not war.

Report at ABC News - https://abcnews.go.com
By The Associated Press (AP)
Published Saturday 24 June 2023, 12:03 AM - here is a full copy:


UN Security Council calls for halt to fighting in Sudan and protection of civilians


The U.N. Security Council is calling for a halt to fighting in Sudan and the protection of civilians

Smoke rises over Khartoum, Sudan, Friday, June 23, 2023. Clashes between warring factions resumed in Sudan's capital and a neighboring city after a three-day cease-fire expired (AP Photo) The Associated Press


UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. Security Council called Friday for a halt to fighting in Sudan and the protection of civilians.


The brief press statement followed closed consultations by the U.N.’s most powerful body.


The council also called for the scaling up of humanitarian assistance to Sudan and neighboring countries, support for humanitarian workers, and respect for international humanitarian law.


Sudan descended into conflict in mid-April after months of worsening tensions exploded into open fighting between rival generals seeking to control the African nation. The war pits the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.


A three-day cease-fire brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia expired Wednesday morning and a protest group and residents said clashes resumed between the army and the paramilitary force in and around the capital, Khartoum.


The conflict has been centered largely in the capital and western Sudan’s Darfur region, which have seen ethnically motivated attacks on non-Arab communities by the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias, according to U.N. officials.


The fighting has killed thousands of people and forced more than 2.5 million people to flee their homes to safer areas in Sudan and neighboring countries, according the U.N. migration agency.


The U.N. said Thursday that in the two months after the conflict began, some 85 humanitarian groups reached 2.8 million people across Sudan with vital assistance, including food, water, health services, education, sanitation, hygiene, non-food supplies and protection services.


"Partners are delivering medical supplies and providing support to health facilities that are still operating. Between 15 April and 15 June, 19 organizations reached more than 470,000 people," U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.


View original: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/security-council-calls-halt-fighting-sudan-protection-civilians-100346915


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Friday, June 23, 2023

UN Security Council Darfur Sudan meeting 23 June

NOTE from Sudan Watch Ed: The UN Security Council members are holding closed consultations on Sudan today. The UK, the penholder on Sudan, requested the meeting. Violence in Darfur will be a key focus of the meeting.


Incidentally, I saw or heard in a report or video former ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo recently saying something like this: 


“The international community is like a unicorn, everyone knows what a unicorn looks like but in reality it doesn’t exist.”


My point is, it would be refreshing to see Africans putting pressure on the African Union to excel and make Africa proud. The West is busy countering Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a very large country in eastern Europe. 


Read more. Beige highlighting is mine for easy future reference.


Report at What's In Blue - securitycouncilreport.org

Published Thursday 22 June 2023 - here is a full copy:


Sudan: Consultations


Tomorrow afternoon (23 June) Security Council members are expected to hold closed consultations on Sudan. It seems that the inter-communal violence in Darfur will be a key focus of the meeting. The UK, the penholder on Sudan, requested the meeting. Edem Wosornu, the Director of OCHA’s Operations and Advocacy Division, is expected to brief.


Sudan has been grappling with the devastating consequences of fighting that erupted on 15 April between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s military leader and chairperson of the Transitional Sovereign Council, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. 


A 13 June Humanitarian Update estimated that at least 866 people had been killed and 6,000 injured in Darfur since the outbreak of hostilities. However, casualty rates may be much higher at this point, with some reports indicating that 1,100 people have died in the West Darfur capital of El Geneina alone since April. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicates that approximately 1.965 million people have been displaced within Sudan and over 531,566 people have fled the country since 15 April.


The escalating violence in Darfur has been marked by inter-communal fighting, with Arab militias supporting the RSF and targeting non-Arab groups in Darfur. The inter-ethnic component of the fighting has raised alarm among several Council members. Some members appear to be concerned about the potential for inter-communal fighting to spin out of control, recalling the conflict in Darfur in the 2000s that claimed the lives of over 300,000 people.


Since mid-April, the fighting has been particularly severe in West Darfur, leading to high levels of insecurity and grim humanitarian effects. In addition to high casualty rates, more than 280,000 people have been displaced in West Darfur, with roughly 150,000 crossing the border into Chad to escape the violence. Civilians have reportedly been targeted as they make their way to the Chadian border. Media reports have indicated that the SAF has not protected civilians targeted by the RSF and allied militias. OCHA reported in its 13 June update that hospitals and electrical stations are not functional in El Geneina. 


Amidst the spiking inter-communal fighting, West Darfur governor Khamis Abakkar was abducted and killed on 14 June, shortly after accusing the RSF and affiliated militia of atrocities in El Geneina during a television interview.  It has been reported that the RSF was responsible for the assassination, although it has denied the allegation.


Several UN officials have continued to speak out against the violence. On 13 June, Special Representative and head of UNITAMS Volker Perthes released a statement in which he expressed his alarm at the situation in El Geneina, referring to an “emerging pattern of large-scale attacks against civilians based on their ethnic identities, allegedly committed by Arab militias and some armed men in Rapid Support Forces (RSF)’s uniform”. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths released a statement on 15 June in which he observed, “Darfur is spiraling into a humanitarian calamity.”  


Remarking on the inter-communal violence in the region, he added that the world could not allow a repeat of “the ethnic tensions that stoked the deadly conflict there 20 years ago”. On 19 June, Secretary-General AntΓ³nio Guterres called the situations in Darfur and Khartoum “catastrophic”, underscoring his concern about reports of gender-based and sexual violence and asserting that “[t]argeted attacks against civilians based on their ethnic identities could amount to crimes against humanity”.


In tomorrow’s meeting, Council members are likely to condemn the violence in Sudan and emphasise the need for a ceasefire and for unfettered humanitarian access. Some members may raise concerns about reports of sexual violence in the conflict. 


There may also be questions about command-and-control issues in relation to RSF operations in Darfur; in this regard, members may be interested in knowing the degree to which Arab militias are operating on their own initiative as opposed to fighting in coordination with the RSF.  


Members may also be interested in OCHA’s perspective on allegations that the SAF is failing to protect civilians in Darfur. Another concern that may be raised is the regional implications of the fighting in Sudan; regarding the fighting in West Darfur, members may want to learn more about the humanitarian and security effects of the influx of refugees from West Darfur into Chad.


Some Council members may also express concerns about how the UN can most effectively manage the significant operational challenges facing the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), and the difficult relations between the Sudanese government and Special Representative Volker Perthes. When Perthes briefed the Council on 23 May, he announced that “the hostilities compelled us to temporarily relocate many of our staff to Port Sudan and outside Sudan”.  On 8 June, the government of Sudan declared Perthes “persona non grata”, which prompted UN Secretary-General AntΓ³nio Guterres to recall, through his spokesman, that “the doctrine of persona non grata is not applicable to or in respect of United Nations personnel and its invocation is contrary to the obligations of states under the Charter of the United Nations”.


While the meeting will focus largely on the humanitarian situation, some members may emphasise the need to exert the leverage on the parties to find a resolution to the conflict.  Various mediation initiatives have failed to gain meaningful traction, including those led by the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and Saudi Arabia and US. The Sudanese military has been critical of both the AU and IGAD processes. In a BBC radio interview on 4 June, Malik Agar, the deputy chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, declared that “Sudan is not part of the African Union’s initiative”, noting its suspension from the AU, which occurred following the October 2021 coup. Regarding the IGAD initiative, the Sudanese government issued a statement on 15 June rejecting the sub-regional body’s decision to appoint Kenya to succeed South Sudan in leading the mediation, accusing Kenya of adopting “the positions of the rebel Rapid Support Forces”.  Although the Saudi-US facilitated talks have resulted in several short-term humanitarian ceasefires, these have by and large failed to hold.


Council members have been following the deteriorating situation in Sudan closely since the outbreak of fighting in mid-April, although difficult dynamics continue to hamper the Council’s approach to Sudan. When the Council renewed the mandate of UNITAMS in early June, it did not include references to the recent developments in the country, as some members—including China, Russia, and the A3 (Gabon, Ghana and Mozambique)—apparently opposed adding new language to the draft resolution concerning the humanitarian, political, or security situations in Sudan. In lieu of including such language in the resolution, Council members issued a press statement that condemned the looting of humanitarian aid and attacks on civilians, while emphasising the need for a permanent ceasefire and a resumption of the process towards democracy in Sudan. While the penholder had originally proposed a presidential statement, it was converted to a press statement—an informal outcome with less political clout—after some members expressed reservations about the format of the outcome.


Tags: Insights on Africa, Sudan, Sudan (Darfur)

Original: https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2023/06/sudan-consultations-2.php

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Sunday, May 14, 2023

UN Human Rights Council votes on monitoring of rights abuses in Sudan: 18 Yes; 15 No; 14 Abstain.


NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: I watched this meeting while it was streamed live and was shocked by the poor attitudes and unprofessional behaviour (mainly by women) of most attendees. The audio was so low I could barely hear what some countries were saying. Camera panned in on a woman mindlessly chewing gum, oblivious to her surroundings, head down low while using her mobile phone. Many acted indifferent and bored like they didn't want to be there. The majority seemed too young and immature to appreciate what they were doing there or understand the magnitude of why they were there.

The live streamed audio was left on during breaks in the meeting that was held in tandem with the one on Sudan at the UN Security Council in New York along with an AU meeting on same day. Forgetting themselves and the cameras, groups chatted loudly and laughed like hyenas, women cackled loudly aloud, they all sounded like happy guests at an enjoyable wedding party. It was disgusting to see and hear.

South Africa's speech on why it was abstaining felt like a kick in the teeth and to crown it all not one African country voted for the detailed monitoring of human rights abuses in Sudan.

All attendees from what I saw (except Finland, a woman who gave a professional performance and heartfelt speech) should be sacked and have their expenses unpaid for bad performance. I can't imagine the cost of that meeting. Also, whoever was in charge of conveying audio translations onto the live stream should be investigated because it seemed apparent political games were in play. It felt like the onlookers and taxpayers footing the bill for humanitarian crises were treated as inconsequential fools. The Chairman was excellent, came across loud and clear. A translation of China's speech was whispered so low it was impossible to hear.

Not long after, news emerged of a war of words between the US and South Africa because South Africa is providing military equipment and weapons to Russia to help decimate Ukraine where unspeakable horrors are occurring.

From what I can gather, and I was shocked to learn of this now for the first time: South Africa has supported Russia ever since Russia supported South Africa during apartheid.

Note that some of the first African Union peacekeeping soldiers in Sudan at a most dangerous time in Darfur were from South Africa's excellent SANDF [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_National_Defence_Force ]. Now I'm wondering if that is why, after much arm twisting Sudan's President Bashir allowed peacekeepers on the ground in Darfur at that time.

I'm hopping mad at everything right now.
Photo source: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/05/12/goede-vrienden-arresteer-je-niet-toch-a4164533:You don't arrest good friends. Nevertheless? The debate in South Africa If Putin wants to go to the BRICS summit, South Africa must pick him up. But that's just not possible, says Africa editor Jamila Meischke.
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Friday, January 21, 2022

FULL TEXT: Resolution 1593 (2005) adopted by the UN Security Council at its meeting on 31 March 2005

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: Further to the ICC Prosecutor's two statements on Darfur, Sudan (see below) given to the UN Security Council at a meeting of the Council held in New York on Monday 17 January 2022, here below, for easy reference, is a copy of Resolution 1593 (2005) adopted by the Council at its meeting on 31 March 2005.

Links to a copy of the document in downloadable pdf format and available in several languages can be found at the end of this post. I have used yellow to highlight para 8 referenced in the Prosecutor's 34th report dated 17 January 2022 and in the Council's Resolution 1593 (2005).

Sudan Watch Wed 19 Jan 2022: 

Statement of ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, to the United Nations Security Council on the Situation in Darfur, pursuant to Resolution 1593 (2005) https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2022/01/statement-of-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa.html

Sudan Watch Thu 20 Jan 2022: 

FULL TEXT: ICC 34th report pursuant to para 8 of UNSC resolution 1593 (2005), 17 January 2022 https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2022/01/full-text-icc-34th-report-pursuant-to.html

_______________

United Nations

Security Council 

Distr.: General 31 March 2005

Resolution 1593 (2005)

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5158th meeting, on 31 March 2005

The Security Council,

Taking note of the report of the International Commission of Inquiry on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in Darfur (S/2005/60),

Recalling article 16 of the Rome Statute under which no investigation or prosecution may be commenced or proceeded with by the International Criminal Court for a period of 12 months after a Security Council request to that effect,

Also recalling articles 75 and 79 of the Rome Statute and encouraging States to contribute to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims,

Taking note of the existence of agreements referred to in Article 98-2 of the Rome Statute,

Determining that the situation in Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
1. Decides to refer the situation in Darfur since 1 July 2002 to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court;

2. Decides that the Government of Sudan and all other parties to the conflict in Darfur, shall cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the Prosecutor pursuant to this resolution and, while recognizing that States not party to the Rome Statute have no obligation under the Statute, urges all States and concerned regional and other international organizations to cooperate fully;

3. Invites the Court and the African Union to discuss practical arrangements that will facilitate the work of the Prosecutor and of the Court, including the possibility of conducting proceedings in the region, which would contribute to regional efforts in the fight against impunity;

4. Also encourages the Court, as appropriate and in accordance with the Rome Statute, to support international cooperation with domestic efforts to promote the rule of law, protect human rights and combat impunity in Darfur;

5. Also emphasizes the need to promote healing and reconciliation and encourages in this respect the creation of institutions, involving all sectors of Sudanese society, such as truth and/or reconciliation commissions, in order to complement judicial processes and thereby reinforce the efforts to restore long- lasting peace, with African Union and international support as necessary;

6. Decides that nationals, current or former officials or personnel from a contributing State outside Sudan which is not a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of that contributing State for all alleged acts or omissions arising out of or related to operations in Sudan established or authorized by the Council or the African Union, unless such exclusive jurisdiction has been expressly waived by that contributing State;

7. Recognizes that none of the expenses incurred in connection with the referral including expenses related to investigations or prosecutions in connection with that referral, shall be borne by the United Nations and that such costs shall be borne by the parties to the Rome Statute and those States that wish to contribute voluntarily;

8. Invites the Prosecutor to address the Council within three months of the date of adoption of this resolution and every six months thereafter on actions taken pursuant to this resolution;

9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

_______________

Source: United Nations.org

View the original document in downloadable pdf format here:

English

https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N05/292/73/PDF/N0529273.pdf

Arabic

https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N05/292/71/PDF/N0529271.pdf


δΈ­ζ–‡

https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N05/292/72/PDF/N0529272.pdf


Francais

https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N05/292/74/PDF/N0529274.pdf


Русский

https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N05/292/75/PDF/N0529275.pdf


Espanol

https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N05/292/76/PDF/N0529276.pdf

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Monday, March 23, 2020

Proposed UN resolution on UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) would support Sudan’s peace efforts - Possible implications of COVID-19

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.

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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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 JΓΌrgenson (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.

- - -

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)
- - -

FROM THE ARCHIVES OF Insights Sudan (Darfur):
  • 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 ResolutionsView All
11 FEBRUARY 2020S/RES/2508This resolution extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts for one year.
31 OCTOBER 2019S/RES/2495This resolution renewed UNAMID’s mandate until 31 October 2020. 
27 JUNE 2019S/RES/2479This 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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