The PSC of the AU, at its 425th meeting held on 24 March 2014, adopted a decision on the Strategic Review of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) operations

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 425th meeting held on 24 March 2014, adopted the following decision on the Strategic Review of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) operations:

Council,

1. Takes note of the update provided by the Joint Special Representative of the AU and the United Nations for Darfur and Head of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on the situation in Darfur and the Review of UNAMID undertaken in pursuance of UN Security Council resolution 2113 (2013), adopted on 30 July 2013, and the remarks made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, as well as of the statement by the representative of the Republic of Sudan;

2. Recalls communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CD) adopted at its 400th meeting, held on 17 October 2013, on the situation in Darfur, by which Council requested the AU Commission and the UN Secretariat to take advantage of the upcoming UNAMID review, as mandated by UN Security Council resolution 2113 (2013), to consider in-depth the challenges facing the Mission and the ways in which these could be overcome, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of UNAMID, including the steps to be taken by all stakeholders to ensure the safety of its personnel and support to early recovery and development;

3. Welcomes the Review, and takes note of its outcome, including the major challenges impeding the effectiveness of UNAMID in implementing its core mandate. Council calls upon the Government of Sudan to enhance dialogue and cooperation with UNAMID, in line with the provisions of the Agreement that it signed with the UN and the AU concerning the Status of UNAMID (the 'Status of Forces Agreement');

4. Further calls for renewed efforts in the three strategic priorities as identified by the Review Team, namely the mediation between the Government and non-signatory armed movements on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), while taking into account ongoing transformation at the national level; the protection of civilians, the facilitation of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the safety and security of humanitarian personnel; and support to the mediation relating to community conflict;

5. Commends the troop and police contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs) for the positive role they continue to play and urges them to improve the capabilities of their contingents, including meeting the contingent-owned equipment requirements, in order to enhance the effectiveness of their role within UNAMID;

6. Agrees to regularly review the situation and receive from the Commission and UNAMID an update on the implementation and steps taken in light of the recommendations of the Review report and subsequent developments. In this regard, Council expresses its readiness to take part in the assessment of UNAMID's implementation of the review outcome after 12 months, bearing in mind the need for continued involvement of, and consultation with the AU throughout the process, in line with the hybrid nature of the operation;

7. Reiterates its strong support to UNAMID, bearing in mind the critical importance of the efforts of the Mission in support of the search for a lasting solution to the situation in Darfur and the protection of the civilian population and, in this respect, calls on the Government of Sudan (GoS) to continue to extend maximum cooperation to the Mission;

8. Commends the continuous efforts by the Joint Special Representative for UNAMID and Joint Chief Mediator (JCM), Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, to find a political settlement between the Government and non-signatory movements;

9. Recalls its communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CDXXIII), adopted at its 423rd meeting, held on 10 March 2014, welcoming the initiative by the GoS to open a process of holistic national dialogue and constitutional review and encouraging the political parties, civil society and armed opposition to engage in dialogue to address the challenges of peace, security and democratization, the elaboration of a new constitution, economic reform and the management of identity and diversity. Council commends the efforts of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and those of the JSR/JCM, in accordance with their respective mandates, to facilitate the success of this initiative by the GoS, and encourages them to continue to work closely together, in support of the promotion of lasting peace, security, stability and reconciliation in Sudan;

10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.