European Union Council conclusions on Sudan

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

“1. The Council remains greatly concerned about the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur, which is clearly intolerable. It condemns the continuing ceasefire violations by the parties to the conflict and denounces in particular air strikes against civilian targets carried out by the Sudanese Air Force, such as the bombing of villages in North Darfur on 29 December and on 5 January. Stressing the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the Council demands that all parties refrain from any form of violence against civilians and organisations providing humanitarian assistance. The Council expects the Sudanese authorities to fulfil its responsibility to provide effective protection to all the citizens and to put an end to impunity in Darfur.

2. An inclusive political process is a condition for sustainable peace in Darfur. To this end, the EU expresses its full support to the efforts of UN Special Envoy Jan Eliasson and AU Special Envoy Salim Salim to revive the political process. The Council urges the parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and the non-signatories to enter in good faith into negotiations. The Council reconfirms the EU’s readiness to continue contributing to these efforts, as well as its support for the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC).

3. An effective and comprehensive cease-fire would inspire confidence in the political process. The Council urges that all parties respect their ceasefire commitments, recalling that UN Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005) determines that those impeding the peace process shall be held responsible and appropriate measures shall be taken accordingly. The Council also reiterates the importance of involving the non-signatories to the DPA in the effective monitoring of the ceasefire and welcomes the efforts by the AMIS Force Commander in this respect.

4. The Council welcomes as an encouraging step the letter of 23 December 2006 from the President of the Republic of Sudan to the United Nations Secretary-General. The EU expects the Government of Sudan, on the basis of an unequivocal acceptance of the full implementation of the UN support packages for the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and in close cooperation with the AU and the UN in the framework of the tripartite mechanism, to work for an early implementation of the light and heavy support packages and finalisation of the preparations for the hybrid force. The Council expresses its readiness to consider further measures notably in the UN framework against any party which obstructs its implementation.

5. Similarly, the Council encourages the AU and the UN to finalise as soon as possible the necessary plans for the deployment of the hybrid force. In this respect, it looks forward to the appointment of the Joint Special Representative.

6. The EU reaffirms its commitment to continuing support for AMIS in the transition period leading to the agreed hybrid force in Darfur and confirms the extension of the EU civilianmilitary supporting action to AMIS for a period of up to six months, from 1 January 2007. The Council urges other countries and organisations to provide additional financial and material support for AMIS.

7. The EU welcomes the decision of the UN Human Rights Council to send an assessment mission to Darfur. It urges the President of the Human Rights Council to accelerate the selection and deployment of an independent and credible team. The EU expects the Government of Sudan to fully cooperate with the mission.

8. The destabilising effects of the Darfur conflict in the wider region, in particular in Chad and in the Central African Republic, are of continuing concern to the Council. All parties should stop all support for rebel movements active in the region. The EU notes that Central African and Chadian authorities have indicated agreement to a UN presence on their territory and is looking forward to further UN recommendations.

9. The Council notes the second anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which set an end to the armed conflict in Southern Sudan and reconfirmed its full support to the peace process. While important milestones of the CPA have been achieved, the Council observes with great concern that crucial provisions have not yet been implemented and calls on the parties to urgently restore confidence in the agreement by taking effective steps to speed up its implementation.”