South Africa welcomes UN resolution on Darfur force
August 1, 2007 (PRETORIA) — The South African government welcomes the unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council on Tuesday 31 July of a resolution establishing the AU/UN Hybrid Operation for Darfur in Sudan.
South Africa Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma had noted that South Africa was honoured to have participated in this debate in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UNSC and thus contributing to the unanimous adoption of resolution 1769 (2007) which signals the beginning of a new era in the international community’s efforts to help the Sudanese people realize peace and security in Darfur.
The resolution mandates the establishment of the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) which shall consist of 19, 555 military personnel, including 360 military observers and liaison officers and an appropriate civilian component including up to 3, 772 police personnel and 19 formed police units comprising up to 140 personnel each.
The resolution provides that command and control structures for the hybrid operation will be provided by the United Nations and that the force shall have a predominantly African character. This means that offers from African troop and police contributing countries will be considered first. However if African troop and police contributing countries are unable to meet the Hybrid force requirements, offers from other troop and police contributing countries will be considered.
Preparation for deployment of UNAMID shall begin not later than October 2007, including, an operational capability, management and command and control structures.
The resolution also stresses the urgent need to mobilize the financial, logistical and other support and assistance required for the current African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), whose mandate is extended for a period of six months until 31 December 2007.
South Africa calls on all parties to fully implement resolution 1769 (2007) and help to ensure the success of UNAMID in the interest of international peace and security and the Sudanese people.
(SAPA)