Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at the UN Security Council Meeting on Darfur
Mr. President,
We thank Joint Special Representative of the UN and African Union Jeremiah Mamabolo and Assistant Secretary-General Ursula Müller for detailed briefings on the situation in Darfur.
Frankly speaking, after statements by some of our colleagues, we have developed an impression that they believe our today’s meeting is an opportunity to discuss the domestic situation in Sudan, rather than in Darfur. We are convinced this is not correct. The Security Council has no mandate to discuss the development of political processes in this country. It is vital to avoid any statements or actions that might be perceived as an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs. We call upon our colleagues in the Council to take this into consideration.
As for the state of affairs in Darfur, we take notice of generally stable situation in the region. We deem it positive that there have been no massive armed clashes and almost no inter-communal conflicts for a long time by now.
The government of Sudan does a lot in order to normalize life in Darfur. We hope these efforts will be sustained. It is important that against the positive dynamics in the region, the UNAMID continuously decreases its contingent according to UNSC resolution 2429.
We share the view that in order to avoid recurrence of conflict, the vacuum of power in the region should be prevented and the capacity of state institutions in Darfur should increase. We believe this is the main goal of the “transitional concept” of UNAMID operation that is part of the endorsed resolution. This concept aims to support the Sudanese during the initial peacebuilding stage of Darfur settlement.
We underline the importance of donors’ compliance with the obligations they took upon at the donor conferences. We believe that this, as well as easing of unilateral sanctions against Sudan, would facilitate normalization of humanitarian, social and economic situation in Sudan at large, and promote peacebuilding and security in Darfur.
We appreciate that almost all the provisions of 2011 Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) have been implemented.
We regret to see that the irreconcilable armed opposition, even though it has lost its presence “on the ground”, does not abandon efforts to shatter the situation and incite a new round of violence in the region.
It has long been recognized that Darfur Peace Process has been faltering because of the unconstructive negotiating position of the irreconcilables, including Sudan Liberation Army under Abdel Wahid el-Nur.
This is how we can interpret the refusal of the movements who did not sign the DDPD to implement the prenegotiation framework, endorsed in Berlin on December 6 under the mediation of the African Union. At this point, I would also mention the decision of “Sudan Call” of March 20 to distance from the Thabo Mbeki roadmap.
It is unfortunate that the Secretariat addresses the sides with equidistant urges. We are convinced that “flirting” with the irreconcilables will only damage the peace process.
We believe the external sponsors of the Sudanese opposition should also not encourage meetings of the radicals in their capitals, but should drive their protégés towards demands that would be more realistic and would promote peace process.
Mr. President,
This being said, we do not see any reason to link the events on April 11 in Khartoum to the process of UNAMID termination and review of Darfur sanction regime that should proceed according to the existing plans.
Thank you.
