Sudan regrets remarks of the US envoy to the UN about the situation in Darfur

June 21, 2015 (NEW YORK) – Sudan permanent mission to the United Nations has expressed regret over what it called “negative statements” made by the United States ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, regarding the situation in Darfur.

Following an informal meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday, Power said the council should make clear that it would not consider any premature drawdown or closure of hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), noting that violence continues to displace thousands of civilian in the region.

She also called to enforce U.N. sanctions and arms embargo on Darfur.

Sudan’s acting representative to the United Nations, Hassan Hamid Hassan, gave a statement to the network of the U.N correspondents refuting criticisms made by the American diplomat.

Sudan’s permanent mission to the U.N, in a press release, expressed regret over Power’s statements, saying she made unfounded conclusions particularly the negative remarks regarding UNAMID’s exit strategy and her description of the situation in Darfur as deteriorating.

The statement said Power’s remarks sharply contradicts the facts and realities on the ground, pointing the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) made significant strides and there is no open war with the rebels.

“But rather, the five states of Darfur enjoy sustainable peace and stability as a result [of the implementation of] the DDPD”, it added

“Based on those facts, and as provided by the UNSC resolution 2173 (2014), a joint team including the government of Sudan, U.N and the African Union was set up to make preparations and draft an exit strategy for the mission. Accordingly, this strategy was based on agreed upon references and didn’t come from a vacuum”, the statement reads

Next week, the UNSC is expected to renew the UNAMID mandate for another year as Khartoum demands to take into account an exit plan under negotiations between Sudan, African Union and United Nations.

Last week, Khartoum expressed concern over a draft resolution extending the mandate of the joint operation for another 12 months prepared by the United Kingdom. The foreign ministry said the draft is inconsistent with the positive developments on the grounds and ignored the discussions on the exit strategy.

Also, the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommended that the council move this month to extend the mandate of UNAMID for another year, saying any drawdown should be based on the ability of the government and armed groups to make progress on peace.

UNAMID has been deployed in Darfur since 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in the restive region.

It is the world’s second largest international peacekeeping force with an annual budget of $1.35 billion and almost 20,000 troops.

(ST)