Briefing on UNAMID to the United Nations Security Council

By

Jeremiah N. Mamabolo

UNAMID Joint Special Representative

10 May 2018

El Fasher

Mme. President

1. It is an honour and privilege for me to update this esteemed Council on the situation in Darfur and the work of UNAMID. Detailed information on these issues is contained in the Report of the Secretary-General on UNAMID (S/2018/389 of 25 April 2018) for the period from 16 February until 15 April 2018.

    

   Mme. President

2. So far, the implementation of phase two of UNAMID reconfiguration is proceeding very well. Significant progress has been made since February when the construction of the Golo Temporary Operating Base (TOB) by the Chinese Engineering company begun while the Pakistani Engineering company is improving the road infrastructure in the area, specifically the Nertiti-Golo road. The military and the police are engaged in the alignment and establishment of their operational and administrative structures pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 2363 (2017), and to reflect the new UNAMID operational configuration. To this end, the establishment of the State Stabilization Assistance Force (SSAF), to be responsible for areas outside the jurisdiction of the Jebel Marra Task Force (JMTF), is on track. The police have deployed to nine of the ten of JMTF team sites and the deployment of FPUs to areas where the military has withdrawn commenced on 1March.

    

   Mme. President,

3. While it is still early to fully assess the impact on the security and protection of civilians’ situation in areas where UNAMID has withdrawn, I can say that, so far, based on our assessment following visits to most of the team sites that the Mission has withdrawn from, we have not witnessed nor heard of any adverse impact. We continue to monitor the situation within the framework of our protection of civilians’ mandate. It is also our expectation that the Government of Sudan will, where they have not already done so, soon establish its authority in the concerned areas, especially rule of law and justice institutions.

Mme. President,

1. Although the peace process continues to be stalled, one encouraging development is that at a meeting with the Government of Sudan in Berlin, convened by the German Berghof Foundation on 16-17 April 2018, SLA/MM and JEM accepted in principle the DDPD as the basis for negotiation. The parties at that meeting could, however, not reach consensus on the timing for the creation of implementation mechanisms of a subsequent agreement, but demonstrated a desire to continue to engage with me to seek a way forward. I am therefore in contact with all the parties to bridge their differences so that they can agree on and sign a pre-negotiation framework as soon as possible. This should pave way for cessation of hostilities agreement and direct negotiations.

    

   Mme. President,

    

2. Since my last briefing to this august Council in March, the general security situation in Darfur remains calm, except for sporadic clashes between Sudan Liberation Army of Mr. Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW), Government forces and nomads in the Jebel Marra. As has occurred in previous years’ dry seasons, clashes became more recurrent between 10 March and 1 April and again on 20-21 April, with SLA/AW staging several ambushes on Government forces as they deploy in the Jebel Marra. Due to access restrictions, the Mission could not verify the number of casualties reported on both sides and civilians affected. There have also been reports of burning of villages by the warring parties. A significant number of civilians have been displaced to different parts of Darfur, including to the Sortony IDP gathering site in North Darfur.

    

3. The nature of these incidents and the low casualty figures reported suggest low-scale skirmishes rather than a large-scale operation. Nevertheless, they demonstrate the continued desire of SLA/AW to challenge GoS and sustain the conflict.

    

4. Although there were reports of possible incursions by SLA-Mini Minawi and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM-Gibril) in East and South Darfur, this could not be confirmed. These two movements remain largely inactive in Darfur and seem to have observed their unilateral declaration of ceasefire, recently extended until 6 August.

    

   Mme. President,

5. According to the revised figures of humanitarian actors, in Darfur, some 1.6 million displaced people are registered as living in approximately 60 camps. For unregistered IDPs – that is, displaced people living in rural settlements and urban areas – estimates vary considerably, especially as there is no systematic registration of displacement outside of camps. Nevertheless, the United Nations humanitarian agencies and partners estimate that an additional 500,000 displaced people live in host communities and settlements in Darfur. From our interactions with these people, they have indicated their desire to return to their places of origin, as long as the provision of security and basic public services is guaranteed. Others are willing to settle where they are only if assured of their traditional land rights in their original homes. For Darfur to be guaranteed of durable peace and development, durable solutions will have to be found for the plight of IDPs.

    

   Mme. President,

6. As UNAMID continues its reconfiguration and drawdown, the transition phase will be critical in creating the foundation for a durable peace. To this end, together with the United Nations Country Team, UNAMID has finalized a joint financing approach for sustaining peace in Darfur and we will count on the support of the international community, including member states of this august Council, for it to succeed. It is imperative that concerted efforts be exerted towards mobilization of financial resources to consolidate and sustain the prevailing peace and stability in the region.

    

    

I thank you, Mme. President.