New York, 29 July 2011 - Expressing strong determination to support the peace process in Sudan’s troubled western region, as well as concern over worsening violence there, the Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for another 12 months.

By unanimously adopting resolution 2003 (2011), the Council decided to maintain UNAMID under its current mandate and troop levels, but requested the Secretary-General to report within 180 days on a planned review, to be undertaken in consultation with the African Union, of the number of uniformed personnel required to ensure the most efficient and effective operation.

In the meantime, the Council underlined the need for UNAMID to make full use of its capabilities and prioritize the protection of civilians; safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access; and to complement efforts to promote the peace as well as the political process negotiated in Doha, Qatar.  It demanded that all parties to the conflict, including all armed movements, immediately end the violence and make every effort to reach a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive settlement under the Doha Document.

However, it recognized that with the continued violence, important elements for the so-called Darfur-based Political Process, the part of the Doha process that calls for systematic engagement in open dialogue, were not in place.  In particular, the situation was not yet conducive for would-be participants in such a dialogue to exercise their views without fear of retribution or intimidation.

Following the adoption, the representatives of South Africa, Nigeria and Gabon expressed their continuing support for UNAMID, but also disappointment that the Council had not taken the opportunity of the mandate extension immediately to launch the Darfur-based Political Process as the African Union had requested, and had not waited for the pre-conditions of an “enabling environment” to be met.

Every effort must be made to bring about a permanent end to hostilities that would address issues of peace and justice, South Africa’s representative said, adding that delays would only cause more suffering.  Nigeria’s representative stressed that actions that could be easily implemented, such as lifting the state of emergency, should be speedily pursued.

The representatives of China and the Russian Federation also stressed the importance of the African Union’s partnership on Darfur, noting its communiqué on the need to press ahead with the Darfur-based Political Process.

On the other hand, the representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom said that today’s resolution rightly recognized that the enabling conditions for the Darfur-based Political Process did not yet exist, with the former noting that in the current situation, people speaking out were regularly targeted.  In such a situation, UNAMID had no higher duty than to protect civilians.  The United Kingdom’s representative affirmed that the Council would closely monitor the environment in Darfur in considering a launch of the process.

Source: Security Council, Department of Public Information, News and Media Division

Download here the UNSC Resolution 2003 (2011) in English and Arabic.