SC/8672
27 March 2006
Security Council Extends UN Mission in Sudan until 24 September, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1663 (2006)
Also Requests Secretary-General to Expedite Planning for Transition of African Union Mission in Sudan to UN Operation
NEW YORK, 24 March (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council, determining that the situation in the Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security, today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission there until 24 September, with the intention to renew it for further periods.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1663 (2006), as orally revised, the Council also strongly condemned the activities of militias and armed groups such as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), which continue to attack civilians and commit human rights abuses in the Sudan.
In addition, the Council requested that the Secretary-General expedite the necessary preparatory planning for transition of the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) to a United Nations operation, including options for how the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) can reinforce the effort for peace in Darfur through additional appropriate transitional assistance to AMIS. It also requested the Secretary-General to present to the Council, by 24 April, a range of options for a United Nations operation in Darfur.
Also by the text, the Council looked forward to receiving, by 24 April, recommendations from the Secretary-General on how best to support efforts by States in the region to put an end to the activities of illegal armed groups, including proposals on how United Nations agencies and missions, in particular UNMIS, could more effectively address the problem of the LRA.
The meeting began at 6:18 p.m. and adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 1663 (2006) reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling its previous resolutions, in particular resolution 1627 (2005) and 1653 (2006), and statements of its President, in particular that of 3 February 2006 (S/PRST/2006/5), concerning the situation in Sudan,
"Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan,
"Welcoming implementation by the parties of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 9 January 2005, and urging them to meet their commitments,
"Acknowledging the commitments by troop-contributing countries in support of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), and encouraging deployment in order for UNMIS to support timely implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,
"Reiterating in the strongest terms the need for all parties to the conflict in Darfur to put an end to the violence and atrocities,
"Stressing the importance of urgently reaching a successful conclusion of the Abuja Talks and calling on the parties to conclude a peace agreement as soon as possible,
"Welcoming the Communiqué of the 46th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 10 March 2006, and its decision to support in principle the transition of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to a United Nations operation within the framework of partnership between the AU and the United Nations in the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa, to pursue the conclusion of a peace agreement on Darfur by the end of April 2006, and to extend the mandate of AMIS until 30 September 2006,
"Expressing its deep concern at the movement of arms and armed groups across borders such as the long-running and brutal insurgency by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) which has caused the death, abduction and displacement of many innocent civilians in the Sudan,
"Determining that the situation in the Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,
"1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNMIS until 24 September 2006, with the intention to renew it for further periods;
"2. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every three months on the implementation of the mandate of UNMIS;
"3. Reiterates its request in paragraph 2 of resolution 1590 (2005) that UNMIS closely and continuously liaise and coordinate at all levels with AMIS, and urges it to intensify its efforts in this regard;
"4. Requests that the Secretary-General, jointly with the African Union, in close and continuing consultation with the Security Council, and in cooperation and close consultation with the parties to the Abuja Peace Talks, including the Government of National Unity, expedite the necessary preparatory planning for transition of AMIS to a United Nations operation, including options for how UNMIS can reinforce the effort for peace in Darfur through additional appropriate transitional assistance to AMIS, including assistance in logistics, mobility and communications, and that the Secretary-General present to the Council by 24 April 2006 for its consideration a range of options for a United Nations operation in Darfur;
"5. Encourages the Secretary-General to continue to provide maximum possible assistance to AMIS;
"6. Requests the Secretary-General and the African Union to consult with international and regional organizations and member states to identify resources to support AMIS during transition to a United Nations operation;
"7. Strongly condemns the activities of militias and armed groups such as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), which continue to attack civilians and commit human rights abuses in Sudan; and urges in this regard UNMIS to make full use of its current mandate and capabilities;
"8. Recalls resolution 1653 (2006) and its request that the Secretary-General make recommendations to the Council; and looks forward to receiving by 24 April 2006 these recommendations which would include proposals on how United Nations agencies and missions, in particular UNMIS, could more effectively address the problem of the LRA;
"9. Encourages the Sudanese parties to finalize the establishment of national institutions for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants (DDR), as stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and to expedite the development of a comprehensive DDR programme, with the assistance of UNMIS as provided in resolution 1590 (2005);
"10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."
* *** *
