SC/8338
18 March 2005

Security Council Extends UN Advance Mission in Sudan Until 24 March, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1588 (2005)

NEW YORK, 17 March (UN Headquarters) -- Reaffirming its readiness to support the peace process in the Sudan, the Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Advance Mission in Sudan (UNAMIS) until 24 March by unanimously adopting resolution 1588 (2005).

Last week, the Council adopted resolution 1585 (2005), extending the mandate of UNAMIS until 17 March.  It established UNAMIS by resolution 1547 of 11 June 2004, for an initial period of three months.  Under the authority of a Special Representative, the Mission’s mandate was to prepare for a future United Nations peace-support operation following the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement.

With the adoption of resolution 1556 on 30 July 2004, the Council extended the special political mission, headed by Special Representative Jan Pronk, for an additional 90 days to 10 December.  In November, the Council adopted resolution 1574 (2004), welcoming the preparatory work already carried out by the Mission, extending the Secretary-General’s proposals to increase its staffing and extending its mandate by a further three months until 10 March 2005.

The meeting began at 10:48 a.m. and ended at 10:50 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1588 (2005) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its resolutions 1547 (2004) of 11 June 2004, 1556 (2004) of 30 July 2004, 1574 (2004) of 19 November 2004, and resolution 1585 (2005) of 10 March 2005,

“Reaffirming its readiness to support the peace process,

“Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Advance Mission in Sudan (UNAMIS), established by its resolution 1547 (2004), until 24 March 2005,

“Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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