Speech of UNAMID JSR to the UN Security Council

1- Thank you Mr. President for giving me the opportunity to brief the Council at this critical moment in the history of Darfur.  In this briefing, I will provide you with a general overview of the situation in Darfur.

As a Special Representative of the Secretary General and chief of UNAMID mission, it is my duty to faithfully update you on both progress made and the obstacles faced.

 

 

2- Darfur today is a conflict of all against all. Government forces clash with the armed movements, the armed movements fight amongst each another, the Army clashed with militias, and there are inter-tribal conflicts. In addition, there is endemic banditry and a breakdown of law and order. UNAMID’s protection strategy seeks to address each of the sources of danger to innocent civilians.

 

3- In my opinion there are two major sources of risk in Darfur. The first is military engagements between JEM and the Government of Sudan. It is vitally important that the Security Council sends a clear signal to all parties that aggressive military action is not acceptable. The second is the poor state of relations between Sudan and Chad. Indeed, the danger of a serious escalation of the conflict in Darfur is ever-present.

 

4- Having said all that, the situation has changed from the period of intense hostilities in 2003-04 when tens of thousands of people were killed. Today, in purely numerical terms it is a low-intensity conflict. Our incident database, from the first day of UNAMID operations on 1 January 2008 until 31 March 2009, includes reports of approximately 2000 fatalities from violence, a monthly average of 130-150 killed-people.

 

5- Approximately one third of the fatalities are civilians. Over the above mentioned period, 620 civilians were killed, either in deliberate attacks on civilian targets, in cross-fire, or in criminal attacks. Of these, 68 were internally displaced persons. According to our reports 573 combatants died. A further 569 people died in inter-tribal fighting. Last but not least, UNAMID itself mourned the loss of 14 of its members.

 

6- There is no military solution to the current conflict, which remains a political one. It is crucial that the Security Council sends a strong message to all parties, engaging them in an inclusive peace process.

 

7- Unfortunately, the political progress made in February during the first Doha peace talks has not been sustained. More widely, political progress has been frozen, particularly after the ICC has issued an arrest warrant against President Omar El Bashir.

 

The ICC issue has overwhelmed and polarized the Sudanese politics. By reinforcing militant feelings in both sides, the ICC issue has weakened those who occupy the middle ground of compromise and consensus. In order to defuse the tensions, we need to find common ground and to empower moderate elements, including civil society.

 

8- Unfortunately, under current circumstances, a comprehensive ceasefire is not in prospect. However, a cessation of hostilities is possible. UNAMID has repeatedly expressed its willingness to deploy all efforts in order to monitor such ceasefire mechanism. UNAMID has already drawn up detailed plans for this. A comprehensive, fast, rigorous and credible monitoring of violent incidents, with rapid reporting to the Security Council and to the African Union, will be an important step towards reducing tension and building confidence.

 

9- Lastly, we must never forget that Darfur is part of Sudan and that a solution to the crisis in Darfur is part and parcel of a wider national Sudanese settlement. Furth more, Darfurians are Sudanese citizens who have the right to participate in the resolution of key national issues such as the establishment of a democratically elected government. Darfur should not hold hostage the national processes of consolidating peace and achieving democratic transformation. Nor should the Darfurians be excluded from the national process and denied their democratic rights in the future of their country.

 

 

10- Earlier this year, Darfur was a managed humanitarian crisis. The supply of food, medical care and other essential services to the affected population was adequate. Under conditions of great difficulty and risk, humanitarian organizations were sustaining a huge life-saving operation. In addition there was an improved harvest and destruction of crops by nomadic groups was also reduced. The health situation was also relatively good, excepting a meningitis outbreak with more than 40 cases reported. Our major concern was displacement of populations by military activities in the southern part of Darfur, resulting in the arrival of thousands of IDPs to Zam Zam IDP Camp in North Darfur.

 

11- The Government of Sudan decision to expel 13 INGOs and to suspend the work of three local NGOs on 4 March 2009 has totally altered the situation. This action, directed against critical humanitarian agencies, has caused a significant interruption to essential supplies and services. Although UNAMID does not have the Humanitarian mandate in Darfur, it remains however deeply concerned about the risk of humanitarian catastrophe, not only because it is the most visible representatives of the international community in Darfur, but also because a humanitarian catastrophe will hamper UNAMID operations. That is why we strongly support the efforts of our colleagues from UNMIS, who monitor and manage this situation in coordination with the Sudanese Government.

 

 

12- The efforts made by the Security Council and its member states have been very helpful in overcoming major challenges to UNAMID deployment. I am pleased to announce to the Council that two third of UNAMID mandated forces was deployed at the end of 2008. We have already identified all troops contributing countries and anticipate reaching 92 % of mandated strength by the end of this year.

We are still in the process of identifying new contributing countries for additional critical units: logistics, transport military helicopters. As I have already mentioned, we have reached two third of our full-strength. However, due to continuous logistical constraints we operate only at about one third of projected full capability.

In that regard, I would like to commend the Government of Ethiopia for providing us with five tactical helicopters.

 

13- The Sudan Government has extended good cooperation to UNAMID. The tripartite mechanism between the Sudan Government, the UN and the AU has been working well in facilitating our deployment. UNAMID was pleased to host the fifth Tripartite Meeting in El-Fasher Headquarters.

I would like to underline the fact that during the fire outbreak that have recently ravaged part of our installations at UNAMID headquarter in El Fasher, we have appreciated the Sudanese Government assistance.

 

14- Today, UNAMID is deployed in every part of Darfur. We have two third of our mandated military personnel; thanks to efforts made by UNAMID officers from civilian police, civil affairs, human rights, political affairs and staff of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation, we maintain close contacts with all the parties and civil society. We monitor the situation on a daily basis, and are therefore in a position to report thoroughly.

UNAMID voice is clearly heard and respected, and we speak with more and more authority about the situation on the ground.

 

 

15- Yet, we could not proclaim our success. In fact, the conflict is not over yet. Civilians remain at risk of violence. Millions of persons are still living in displaced/refugee camps. Due to the current security situation, they cannot return to their homes or resume their normal lives. Furthermore, the great wrongs that were committed during the height of hostilities in 2003-04 remain without remedy.

 

16- But we have not failed, either. Our teams are working around the clock to prevent killings, violence and new conflict from developing. Although not always visible, UNAMID preventive role is crucial.

 

17- In January this year, the military takeover of the town of Muhajiriya by the Justice and Equality Movement and the counter offensive of the Government endangered thousands of civilians. We kept our forces in Muhajiriya, although we were under severe pressure to leave. This was the correct decision from the Secretary General side.

 

18- When a disaster does not happen it is not reported in the media. Muhajiriya was a disaster that did not happen. During the attacks and counterattacks on Muhajiriya, including aerial bombardments, nearly 10,000 civilians congregated in the immediate vicinity of the UNAMID base. We negotiated a secure perimeter for humanitarian access with both the Sudanese Government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

 

19- The Situation that prevailed in August 2008 at Kalma IDP camps is well known by now. It is also another disaster that has been avoided due to UNAMID intervention. Without that intervention the death toll of 38 would have been much higher. Today, UNAMID has a permanent presence at Kalma. Our ambition is to extend that experience to major IDP camps in Darfur.

 

20- Another major source of violence is inter-tribal fighting. UNAMID is regularly involved in promoting peace at the local level, while preventing some other conflicts from spreading over. Just recently in the town of Khor Abeshir, UNAMID stopped an incident of cattle theft from escalating into an uncontrolled and bloody inter-communal clash.

 

21- In addition, UNAMID officers from civil affairs, human rights, political affairs, and the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation process are promoting local level reconciliation and peace. At several occasions, local agreements have contributed in stabilizing the situation.

 

22- On the ground in Darfur, we face day-to-day challenges. At this moment, our most pressing concerns include, first, the need to stabilize the humanitarian situation, second, respond to a diverse set of threats to security, and thirdly, ensure that we reach our full Mission capability.

 

UNAMID mandate derives from the “responsibility to protect”, and we can only consider our mission accomplished when the people of Darfur live in sustainable peace and security.

This requires a political settlement for the whole of Sudan.

 

 

23- Let me conclude by commending the great work being accomplished by UNAMID staff, military and civilian. I would like to pay tribute to the memory of our fourteen colleagues that have lost their lives while serving the people of Darfur.

I deeply believe that UNAMID’s role is being recognized by the people of Darfur. In a peacekeeping mission like UNAMID, failures and setbacks are advertised, and success usually goes without fanfare. Let me emphasize, without fanfare, that we are progressing.

 

24- Our success is ultimately in the hands of the political leaders of Sudan. It is their decision whether the people of Darfur can live in peace or must face the terrors and hardships of war. It is up to the international community, represented by the Security Council, to make them understand.

 

 

Thank you