EU welcomes Darfur peace agreement
May 15, 2006 (Brussels) — Following the text of conclusions adopted by the EU Council meeting today:
“1. The Council welcomed the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) concluded in Abuja on 5 May by the Government of Sudan and the SLM/A. It sincerely commended the African Union (AU) for its tireless mediation efforts during many months of negotiations, and Nigeria for hosting the talks. The Council acknowledged that the DPA paves the way to the restoration of lasting peace and reconciliation in Darfur. The Council commended the Government of Sudan and the SLM/A for having put aside their differences. It strongly urged those parties who have still not signed the Agreement to agree and adhere to the Agreement in full. In this regard the Council also reiterated its full support for the application of sanctions under UNSCR 1591 against those who impede the peace process.
2. The Council condemned the recent ceasefire violations and demanded an end to all hostilities. In particular, it demanded in the strongest terms an immediate end to all attacks on civilians and all violations of human rights and forms of harassment. The Council stressed in particular the need to respect the unhindered deliverance of humanitarian assistance and goods and to guarantee security in the IDP camps, creating a climate favourable for the voluntary return of IDPs and refugees to their home.
3. The Council called on all parties to immediately remove any existing obstacles to the delivery of aid and to end any obstruction of humanitarian work. The Council urged the Sudanese Government to eliminate any restrictions placed on humanitarian access and the work of UN agencies and non-governmental organisations, and demanded that it comply fully with the Joint Communiqué of 3 July 2004 signed with the UN.
4. The Council called on the parties to the DPA urgently to implement the terms of the agreement, including by the rapid appointment of the relevant positions within government for Darfur and the movements and forming the necessary commissions. In this regard the Council stated the EU’s readiness to respond swiftly to any requests addressed to it to support the implementation of the peace agreement and to contribute to the reconciliation of the people of Darfur. In this respect, the EU looks forward to the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation as an inclusive process with representatives of all Darfurian stakeholders, aimed at overcoming existing divisions between communities and building the foundations of a common future. The EU appeals to all parties to respect the autonomy and the integrity of the process.
5. The Council reiterated the EU’s readiness to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Darfur once the peace agreement is effective and when security conditions on the ground allow the mobilisation of funds. The EU stands ready to support, in coordination with the UN, the World Bank and other lead donors in Sudan/Darfur, a Joint Assessment Mission for Darfur, ahead of a donors’ conference aimed at mobilizing funds to promote a progressive shift from humanitarian aid to development cooperation.
6. The Council commended AMIS for its efforts to bring security and stability to Darfur in extremely adverse circumstances and acknowledged its continuing crucial role, including in relation to the implementation and verification of the DPA. The Council noted that a single comprehensive review was undertaken of the wide range of support that the EU and its Member States are providing to the AU’s efforts to stabilise the situation in Darfur, including planning, technical, financial and equipment support to both the military and police components of AMIS. The Council confirmed the EU’s readiness to continue providing such support, together with the UN and with other international partners, including NATO. The Council agreed to extend the EU civilian-military supporting action to the AU Mission in the Darfur region of Sudan to 30 September 2006. It will consider the appropriate legal and operational framework and the additional resources and capabilities that may be required for this extended EU support action. The Council also welcomed the agreement to provide a further EUR 50 million from the African Peace Facility to AMIS, in addition to the EUR 162 million already provided.
7. The Council urged the AU to take all necessary steps for a robust interpretation of the AMIS mandate to ensure a more forceful protection of the civilian population. The Council emphasised the need to continue efforts to enhance the operational capabilities of AMIS in order to fulfil its mandate as effectively as possible, also in view of the tasks arising from the DPA. The EU stands ready to continue its assistance to the AU and to continue honouring its commitments in this regard. In this context, it welcomed the decision to establish a Joint Operational Centre and looks forward to the implementation of the remaining recommendations of the Joint Assessment Mission in December 2005, as requested in the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the AU of 10 March.
8. The Council reaffirmed its support for transition from AMIS to a UN mission as the only viable option for providing sustained stability and security in Darfur in the long term. The agreement achieved in Abuja opens the way for the establishment of a UN peace-keeping mission in Darfur. The Council urged all stakeholders to proceed swiftly with the planning for a successful transition from AMIS to a UN operation, and underlined the readiness of the EU to support, as appropriate, the planning of the transition. The Council in particular urged the Sudanese government to collaborate fully with UN and to immediately allow an AU-UN technical assessment mission to go to Darfur to prepare the transition.
9. The Council welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 1672 of 25 April 2006 imposing travel restrictions and financial sanctions on four Sudanese individuals. Recalling its support for sanctions against those blocking the peace process, committing human rights violations, or violating the cease-fire and the arms embargo, the Council confirmed its position that full use should be made of the measures set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005) and called for continued engagement by the UN Security Council to restore peace and security in Darfur. The Council reiterated its full support for the ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of human rights abuses in Darfur as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005) and urged all parties, in particular the Government of Sudan, to fully cooperate with the ICC.
10. The Council expressed its grave concern about recent events in Chad, the political and security situation in the country and the instability on the Sudanese-Chadian border, and its potential impact on the humanitarian situation on the population in Chad and Darfur. The Council recalled the responsibility of the Sudanese government to help secure peace along its border with Chad and its obligation, as member of the AU, to promote democratic stability in Chad. Any assistance to attempts to overthrow the Chadian Government by way of unconstitutional means is incompatible with the pursuit of a political solution to the Darfur conflict. If lasting peace is to be achieved in Darfur, both Sudan and Chad must fully comply with the obligations set out in the Tripoli Agreement of 8 February, put an end to any direct or indirect support to rebel groups in the other country and resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and on the basis of full respect for the territorial integrity of the other.
11. Durable peace in Darfur can only be achieved within the framework of a peaceful Sudan. The Council expressed its concern about recent outbreaks of violence in different parts of Sudan, such as those reported in Eastern and Southern Sudan, which have cost the life of innocent civilians. The Council emphasised the urgency of implementing the security sector provisions of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) and proceed with the disengagement of forces, disarmament and demobilisation in order to prevent further outbreaks of violence. In this context, the Council called for an urgent start of talks between the Government of Sudan and the Eastern Front, with a view to resolving the existing problems in eastern Sudan.
12. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to support the continuing implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) as the only way to a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Sudan. It encouraged the parties to the agreement to facilitate the full implementation of the CPA and to correct swiftly all delays in this respect, as well as to cooperate in a spirit of partnership and transparency, recalling their common commitment to making the unity of Sudan attractive. In particular, the Council emphasised the paramount importance of the full implementation of the provisions of the CPA concerning Abyei and the other transitional areas.
13. The Council reconfirmed the EU’s commitment to providing continuing support for the CPA process including through the involvement of Member States, the Commission and the EU Special Representative, and its readiness to reinforce the dialogue with the Government of National Unity and the Government of South Sudan. Similarly, it reiterated the importance the EU attaches to the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) as a key mechanism for the international community’s monitoring of and support to the implementation of the CPA and stated its preparedness to consider ways and means to strengthen the role of the AEC and enhance its effectiveness.
14. Full normalisation of relations with Sudan will depend on progress achieved in implementing the CPA and the DPA and on a nationwide political process leading to democratisation and peace in the whole of Sudan.”
(European Union)