Sudan
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Members have been discussing a draft presidential statement on the issue of Sudan’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC). It is unclear whether agreement will be reached. It is possible that Costa Rica, the draft’s sponsor, may table it as a draft resolution.
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In early June, a Council mission will visit Sudan and Chad. Discussions are likely to include:the north-south Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA);the recent violence, prospects for a cessation of hostilities and a peace process in Darfur;deployment of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID); and Chad-Sudan relations and the conflicts in both countries.
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A strong Council focus on Darfur is expected in May, in particular in the lead up to the scheduled Council visit to the region at the end of the month.
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The Council is expected to continue to closely monitor developments in Darfur, including the security situation, deployment of the UN-AU Mission (UNAMID) and political reconciliation. Consultations are likely on the Secretary-General’s expected monthly report. Darfur issues are also likely to emerge during the Council’s expected joint meeting with the AU Peace and Security Council in April. On the north-south issue, members are also expected to renew the UNMIS mandate which expires on 30 April.
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The Council is expected to continue monitoring the difficulties faced by the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and developments on Chad-Sudan relations. Consultations are likely, but it is unclear if proposals for Council action will emerge.At press time, the sanctions committee was expected to consider a request from Khartoum for sanctions against the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
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The Council is expected to focus more closely on the difficulties surrounding the deployment of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), and is likely to seek briefings on meetings between the Secretariat and Sudan, including expected discussions in the margins of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa from 25 January to 3 February.
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The Council is expected to follow very closely the situation in Darfur, in particular issues surrounding the peace process and the deployment of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). (The mission formally takes over peacekeeping responsibilities in Darfur on 31 December.) The Secretary-General’s quarterly report on Darfur is expected by the end of the year.
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Council activity on Darfur in December is expected to include briefings by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and by Under Secretary-General John Holmes on the humanitarian situation in early December; possible consultations on the deployment of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur; the AU Mission in the Sudan expires on 31 December, by which time transfer to UNAMID is required under resolution 1769; ...
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Council members are expected to closely monitor Khartoum's level of cooperation over the deployment of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), and the challenges facing the Sirte peace talks, in particular the lack of rebel attendance. (At press time, the talks were due to start on 27 October.)
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Council members are expected to pay close attention to progress with deploying the UN-AU Mission in the Sudan (UNAMID) and the peace process.
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On 21 September, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and AU Commission Chairman Alpha Konaré will host a high-level consultation on Darfur. The adoption of a communiqué is expected.
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September is likely to be another important month for Council members regarding Sudan. Various important events are scheduled and are seen by Council members as significant opportunities to maintain momentum on both the peacekeeping and political tracks in Darfur. Separate discussions on the Secretary-General's August UNMIS report seemed possible.
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At press time, members were negotiating a second draft of a resolution establishing the AU-UN hybrid operation for Darfur. Given the differing views among members, particularly regarding sanctions and Chapter VII language in the draft, consensus has been hard to achieve and at press time it remained unclear whether the resolution will be adopted before the end of the month.
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There is strong momentum in the Council to now move quickly on a resolution to endorse the hybrid operation. Members seem likely to see an authorising resolution as an important first step in moving through the practical difficulties which undoubtedly lie ahead.
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Darfur is likely to keep the Council extremely busy in June with: discussions on AU-UN proposals for a hybrid operation and Sudan's position; a Council mission to Africa, including Addis Ababa and Accra (Sudan has invited the mission to visit Khartoum); an interim report by the sanctions Panel of Experts; and a briefing by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo.
