(MENAFNEditorial) Explanation of Vote at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2296 on the Situation in Darfur WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, July 1, 2016/APO/ --
Ambassador David Pressman Alternate Representative to the UN for Special Political Affairs U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York City June 29, 2016 AS DELIVERED Thank you very much, Mr. President. The United States supports the Security Council’s adoption of the resolution renewing the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for another year. The United States welcomes the Government of Sudan’s recent declaration of a unilateral cessation of hostilities in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile, and we would like to see that declaration extended to the Darfur region, as unfortunately, fighting by the government and its proxies continues in Dafur. An end to military offensives and fighting in all of these areas would bring much needed relief to thousands of Sudanese and create an improved environment for dialogue leading to a political solution. Lasting peace will only come from a negotiated solution that addresses the key political and security drivers of conflict in all areas of Sudan. Civilians continue to suffer in Darfur, with - according to the United Nations - at least 80,000 newly displaced in 2016 alone and over two million IDPs in need of aid and who cannot return to their homes. In the absence of a comprehensive political agreement and in the face of these pressing needs, UNAMID plays a critical role protecting civilians and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Darfur. Any calls for the mission to leave Sudan are woefully premature. We urge the Government of Sudan to allow the mission to carry out the mandate this Security Council has given it, including by not placing restrictions on its freedom of movement or its needed food and supplies. We understand that, as of June 23, all UNAMID food ration shipments that had been held at Port Sudan by the Government of Sudan have been cleared for release. We welcome this development and call on the Government of Sudan to urgently release the almost 300 remaining containers of much needed equipment, in compliance with its obligations under the Status of Forces Agreement with the United Nations. Mr. President, I would like to briefly address the report of the Joint Working Group, which was raised by some colleagues. The United States certainly welcomes and encourages cooperation amongst the Government of Sudan, the United Nations, and the African Union to efficiently and effectively implement UNAMID’s mandate. But we must be clear that the Security Council, in order to conduct its business, will continue to rely primarily on the analysis and advice of the Secretary-General about the situation in countries on our agenda. We believe that the Joint Working Group’s report downplays the scale of the fighting in Darfur and is inconsistent with the Special Report of the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. For example, the Joint Working Group assesses that there were “no more rebel movements in four states,” but the Special Report finds that the Sudanese military claimed victories in South Darfur earlier this year, conducted bombings in Central Darfur, and pursued rebels in North Darfur in January. Moreover, we know from the past 10 years that the rebel movements are constantly mobile, and any single snapshot in time is not necessarily indicative of a larger trend. Also, how do we square the Joint Working Group’s conclusion that “access is granted for most patrols,” with the conclusion of the Special Report that UNAMID “continued to face severe restrictions on its access and freedom of movement in Darfur.” Lastly, the Joint Working Group emphasizes the beginning of voluntary returns and early recovery assistance that has been provided to the people of Darfur but ignores the surge of displacements that occurred earlier this year in Jabal Mara where tens of thousands of new internally displaced persons in Jabal Mara are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Finally, we reiterate that any exit strategy for UNAMID is pretty clear. It is one linked to the achievement of the agreed benchmarks on an inclusive political process, protection of civilians, and prevention of violence. We look forward to progress on achieving these benchmarks. I thank you. Distributed by APO on behalf of Africa Regional Media Hub.