August 2, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan on Tuesday criticized severely a resolution by the UN Security Council (UNSC) extending the mandate of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) saying it attempts to change the mandate and tarnish the image of the country.

South African soldiers serving with UNAMID (UN)

Foreign minister Ali Karti who denounced the US representative at the UNSC for attempting to include the issue of the International Criminal Court, warned that any bid to change the mandate will lead Sudan to cancel the peacekeeping mission.

The 15 member council on 29 July voted the extension of the UNAMID for one more year asking the largest peacekeeping operation to make full use of its capabilities and prioritize the protection of civilians; safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access.

The Council underlined the increase of violence citing clashes between the government and the two Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) factions as well as Justice and equality Movement (JEM). It further asked Khartoum to create suitable conditions to engage a process for political dialogue in Darfur and remove a number of restrictions in freedom of expression and other rights limited by the state of emergency law imposed in the region.

South Africa, Nigeria and Gabon envoys at the UNSC regretted that the Security Council did not decide to launch the Darfur-based Political Process as requested by the African Union. However, the US and UK ambassadors said the Council will consider to launch this process whenever the conditions are improved. They further stressed that the UNAMID had no higher duty than to protect civilians.

Sudan’s foreign affairs minister Ali Karti put out a statement on Tuesday evening saying the resolution included many negative signals and false information. He further accused the UN Security Council of interfering in the Sudan’s internal affairs and distorting the image of the country.

Karti pointed out that his government is not concerned by the additional issues mentioned in Friday’s resolution and will take in account only what is included in the resolution 1796 establishing the UNAMID adopted in January 2008 and the Status of Forces Agreement sealed with the joint mission.

"The Government of Sudan reaffirms that any attempt to impose any new obligation is contrary to what has been agreed upon and will lead to refuse cooperation, and to disengage from any previous obligation related to the acceptance of the mission and its deployment, " read the statement. Adding "It also confirms that such a resolution and any insistence upon it, will lead the Government of Sudan to reject the mission activities and end its mandate".

Referring to the provision of visas to UNAMID staff and other logistical problems mentioned in the UNSC resolution, and the airstrikes or the number of displaced persons, the Sudanese minister said all these things were resolved within the tripartite mechanism. Karti also rejected the "erroneous information" on the number of displaced persons in Darfur.

The Sudanese minister in addition refused the UNSC demand to coordinate between the UNAMID, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The UN Security Council did not back the launch of the Darfur Political process of the former South African President Thabo Mbeki despite the clear support showed by the African Union. It only recognized "the potential complementary role of a Darfur-based Political Process".

However, the Council welcomed the newly established Implementation Follow-up Committee (IFC), chaired by the State of Qatar, to support the enforcement of the outcome of the Doha peace document by the Sudanese signatories and to pursue efforts to include the other rebel groups in the peace process.

It also hailed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s intention to develop a road map for the Darfur peace process, and requested him to consult with the African Union, IFC and Sudanese stakeholders.

(ST)