United Nations

SC/8699
26 April 2006

Security Council Presidential Statement Calls for End to Darfur Violence, Reiterates Support for African-Union Led Peace Talks

NEW YORK, 25 April (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council strongly reiterated this afternoon the need for all parties to the Sudan's Darfur conflict to put an immediate end to the violence and atrocities in the region.

A statement read out by Council President Wang Guangya (China) reaffirmed its utmost concern over the dire consequences of the prolonged conflict for Darfur's civilian population, as well as its concern that the persisting violence might further negatively affect the rest of the country and the region, including the security of Chad.

Reaffirming its commitment to the Sudan's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, the Council also reiterated its full support for the African Union-led Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks in Abuja on the conflict, and welcomed developments so far in the negotiations.  It urged the parties to make speedy progress in concluding a peace accord.

The Council further reiterated its endorsement of the 10 March decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council that an accord must be reached by 30 April, and strongly urged all parties to make the necessary efforts to reach an agreement by that date.  It expressed its recognition that an inclusive political settlement was key to peace in the Sudan and that the Abuja talks provided a mechanism to achieve a settlement in Darfur.

Working towards a positive outcome was a collective responsibility of all the parties to the conflict, the Council emphasized, calling on the parties to consider in good faith proposals made by the African Union Mediator, with a view to reaching peace, security and stability in Darfur and the Sudan as a whole.

The meeting began at 1:15 p.m. and ended at 1:20 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2006/17 reads as follows:

"The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of the Sudan.

"The Security Council strongly commends and supports the efforts of the African Union to achieve lasting peace in Darfur.  It reiterates, in the strongest terms, the need for all parties to the conflict in Darfur to put an immediate end to the violence and atrocities; reaffirms its concern that the persisting violence in Darfur might further negatively affect the rest of the country, as well as the region, including the security of Chad; and expresses its utmost concern over the dire consequences of the prolonged conflict in Darfur for the civilian population.  It further reaffirms the right of the displaced persons to return to their homes if they wish to do so.

"The Security Council reiterates its full support for the African Union-led Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks in Abuja on the conflict in Darfur, in particular the tireless efforts of the Chief Mediator, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim and his team.  It welcomes the developments so far in the negotiations, and urges the parties to make speedy progress in concluding a Darfur peace accord.

"The Security Council further reiterates its endorsement of the decision of 10 March 2006 of the African Union Peace and Security Council that an accord must be reached by 30 April 2006, and strongly urges that all parties make the necessary efforts to reach an accord by this date.

"The Security Council recognizes that an inclusive political settlement is key to peace in the Sudan, and that the talks provide a mechanism to achieve such a settlement in Darfur.  The Council reiterates its call to all parties to the conflict to fulfil their commitments to conclude a peace accord in the interest of the people of Darfur and the Sudan as a whole.

"The Security Council calls on and expects the parties in Abuja to consider in good faith proposals to be made by the Mediator with a view to reaching peace, security and stability in Darfur and the Sudan as a whole.  It emphasizes that working toward a positive outcome is a collective responsibility of all the parties in the conflict.

"The Security Council commends the various partners and stakeholders for their support to the African Union-led Abuja peace process and encourages them, in particular the United Nations, to continue supporting the parties in the implementation of the Peace Accord."

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