SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON DARFUR

 

The following Security Council press statement on Darfur was read out today by Council President Vitaly Churkin ( Russian Federation):

The members of the Security Council today, 11 March, heard the briefing by Assistant Secretary-General Edmond Mulet on the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

The members of the Security Council expressed profound concern at the continuing complex security and humanitarian situation in Darfur.  They urged in this context all Sudanese parties to observe the ceasefire, refrain from any hostilities and to respect the norms of international humanitarian law.

The members of the Security Council reiterated the need for the speediest possible deployment of UNAMID and urged all parties concerned to cooperate with the United Nations and the African Union to this end.

The members of the Security Council look forward to the success of the upcoming meeting between the Presidents of the Sudan and Chad in Dakar.

The members of the Security Council once again underlined the vital importance of promoting the peace process in Darfur and supported efforts of the Special Envoys of the United Nations and the African Union aimed at ensuring inclusive nature of this process.  They recalled the respective obligations of the parties in Darfur in the context of negotiations.

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For information media • not an official record