Mr President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Montenegro, and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and Armenia, align themselves with this statement.
The suffering in Darfur has been allowed to go on for too long and a political settlement is desperately needed. UNAMID – which is at the heart of our common efforts to alleviate the suffering – cannot substitute for a political process, nor can it impose peace. It is time for the parties to take concrete steps towards a political solution to the crisis.
UNAMID fulfils a central role in the efforts to provide protection and security, and to facilitate humanitarian access in Darfur. It is encouraging that UNAMID is expected to approach its total strength by the end of the year. The current gaps between deployment figures and objectives hampers the mission’s ability to fulfil its mandate. Also, we must ensure that the mission is adequately equipped to fulfil its priority tasks of protecting civilians and providing security for effective humanitarian action.
The European Union notes the improved cooperation between the United Nations, the African Union and the government of Sudan through the tri-partite mechanism. However, obstacles still remain that hamper the effectiveness of UNAMID, for instance with regard to freedom of movement, administrative hurdles to get customs clearance for critical equipment, and visas for UNAMID staff. Presently, almost 100 nationals of the European Union wait for their visas to work for UNAMID. The Government of Sudan has the responsibility to remove these obstacles and to ensure that agreements are implemented at the local level.
We are faced with a critical humanitarian situation which may deteriorate further during the rainy season. The Government of Sudan, and all parties to the conflict, have to respect and adhere to international humanitarian law and ensure safe and unhindered access to people in need of humanitarian assistance. The Government’s decision in March to expel a number of Non-Governmental Organisations has hampered the ability to provide humanitarian assistance to the population in need in Darfur.
The European Union takes note of reports that a small number of internally displaced persons have started to return to their villages. It is important to ensure and monitor that such returns take place in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner with assistance and protection in place.
The European Union strongly supports the joint AU-UN mediation efforts for a sustainable cessation of hostilities under the leadership of Mr Djibril Bassolé. We regard the multi-track approach of the mediation that also engages civil society in Darfur as essential. We call on JEM and the Government to honour their commitments in the Doha Good Will Agreement.
There can be no sustainable peace without justice. The European Union’s position on the International Criminal Court (ICC) is well known. The Court and its key role in the promotion of international justice has our full support. The European Union urges the government of Sudan and all other parties to the conflict to cooperate fully with the Court in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1593.
The national elections next year provide an opportunity for Sudan to lay down a political path for the future. Peaceful, transparent and credible elections are fundamental for the consolidation of democracy. UNAMID has a role to assist UNMIS in the preparations and the organisation of the elections. The European Union welcomes the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the determination of the boundaries of the Abyei Area. We call on the parties of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to cooperate fully in its implementation.
The regional dynamics continue to be marked by instability. The EU Military Operation in Eastern Chad and North Eastern Central African Republic (EUFOR) deployed in 2008 and transferred to MINURCAT in March 2009 should be seen in this context. The European Union, as well as the Security Council and others, have called on Sudan and Chad to respect and fully implement their mutual commitments. Recurrent cross-border attacks seem to make the agreements meaningless. Both countries need to show a clear political will to solve their outstanding issues.
Bringing peace to Darfur is long overdue. In order to promote progress, all relevant actors within the international community need to pull in the same direction. The aim should be to impress upon the parties the need for flexibility in the search for peace. Ultimately, however, the responsibility lies with the parties themselves. It is time for them to show concrete and serious political will and a commitment to peace.
I thank you.