EU Council Conclusions on Sudan/Darfur

2749th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting, Brussels, 15 September 2006

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council expresses its deep concern about the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur. The Council condemns the continuing violations of the cease-fire by all parties, particularly the violence directed at the civilian population and the targeting of humanitarian assistance. It reiterates the obligation of all parties to permit the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Council reminds the leadership of the Sudanese Government of its collective and individual responsibility to protect its citizens from all violence and to guarantee respect for human rights. The EU strongly endorses the statement by the UN Secretary General to the UN Security Council on 11 September, including his urging of the Government of Sudan to embrace the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 1706 and his warning that those who decide and carry out policies leading to death and suffering in Darfur will be held accountable.

2. The Council is alarmed by the renewed fighting in areas of North Darfur, the recent military build-up in Darfur and the reinforcement of the government forces. It condemns the reported military attacks by both the Sudanese government and the rebel groups and stresses that any military action will only further aggravate the already alarming humanitarian situation. The Council stresses that the Sudanese Government should stop their military action in Darfur, abide by the ceasefire agreement and respect their commitments under the DPA. The Council recalls the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1591 asserting that those individuals impeding the peace process or threatening the stability in Darfur shall be held responsible.

3. The Council strongly supports the UN Security Council Resolution 1706 of 31 August 2006 which expands the mandate of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to Darfur and strengthens its military and civilian components in support of the early and effective implementation of the DPA and the 2004 N'djamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement. The Council reiterates the readiness of the EU to support the efforts of the UN and other partners in the planning for transition from AMIS to UN.

4. The Council strongly calls upon the Sudanese Government to give its consent to the deployment of the UN operation and to extend its full cooperation to the UN in preparing for the implementation of the extended mandate of UNMIS.

5. The EU reaffirms its strong support to the AU. Until transition to the UN is completed, the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and the effective and impartial implementation of its mandate will continue to be of critical importance for the peace process in Darfur. The Council stresses the need to continue efforts to enhance the operational capabilities of the mission, particularly regarding the tasks related to the protection of the civilian population and humanitarian access, and reiterates the EU's support to that end in view of the AU PSC meeting on 18 September.

6. The Council reiterates that a broadly based and inclusive implementation of the DPA, signed in Abuja on 5 May 2006, remains the basis for stability, peace and reconciliation in Darfur. It calls on the non-signatories to join in and commit themselves to the implementation of the agreement. In this regard, the Council urges the signatories to the DPA to continue working to find ways to address the concerns of the non-signatories, allowing them to adhere to the agreement.

7. The Council in particular emphasises the need to involve the non-signatories in the effective monitoring of the cease-fire and the investigation of violations committed. The non-signatories should be held fully responsible for the fulfilment of their commitments set out in the N'djamena Agreement. The Council thus urges the DPA signatories to accept the participation of the non-signatories in the mechanisms set up by the existing cease-fire agreements and to facilitate a swift resumption of their work. The Council also suggests considering confidence-building measures such as inviting the non-signatories to participate in the Core Coordination Group (CCG) and take immediate steps to better involve civil society through an inclusive Darfur-Darfur dialogue.

8. The Council underlines its deep concern at the potential negative impact of a continuing conflict in Darfur on the rest of Sudan and in the wider region. The Council is particularly attentive to the situation of the refugee camps in Chad and it welcomes both the recent indications of an improvement in the relations between Sudan and Chad and the on-going talks in Asmara between the Sudanese Government and the Eastern Front.

9. The EU calls on the international community to combine its efforts and to work with the parties to the conflict to improve the humanitarian situation and to build a sustainable peace in Darfur."

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• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan (22/1/2007)
• Sudan/Darfur: EU Council extends EU civilian-military supporting action (17/10/2006)
• Darfur: EC President Barroso announces extra €40m in humanitarian aid (2/10/2006)
• EU Parliament urges Sudanese to accept UN peacekeeping force (28/9/2006)
• European Commission statement on Darfur (18/9/2006)
• EUHR Solana expresses serious concern about the deteriorating security situation in Darfur (19/8/2006)
• EUHR Solana at Darfur Conference (18/7/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan/Darfur (17/7/2006)
• Darfur: European Commission announces €100M for the humanitarian and initial recovery package  (4/5/2006)