Security Council values assistance for African Union effort in Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, May 12, 2005 (Xinhua) — The UN Security Council emphasized on Thursday the importance of increased, coordinated international assistance for the African Union effort in Darfur, Sudan, and the readiness of the United Nations to continue playing a key role.

Camel riders pass in front of a Rwandan soldier at Abu Shouk in Sudan’s Darfur (file/AFP).

In a statement read out at the Council’s second meeting by Ellen Margrethe Loj (Denmark), its President for May, the Council applauded the African Union’s vital leadership role in Darfur and the work of the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) on the ground.

The Council also voiced support for the decision by that regional body’s Peace and Security Council to expand its mission to 7,731 personnel by the end of September 2005.

Recalling its request in resolution 1590 (2005) for close and continuous coordination between the UN Mission in the Sudan and AMIS, especially with regard to the Abuja peace process, the Council looked forward to continuing contacts in order to facilitate assistance as requested by the African Union.

It welcomed the findings of the African Union-led joint assessment mission from March 10 to 22, and the second joint assessment mission from May 1 to 4, which included representatives from the African Union, the United Nations and other partners.

At a meeting earlier Thursday, the Council heard a briefing in which Hedi Annabi, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, stressed that short-term stability in Darfur would require considerable strengthening of AMIS.