EU Council Conclusions on Sudan

2719th External Relations Council Meeting


The Council adopted the following conclusions:

1. The Council reaffirmed its support for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Sudan based on the successful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), and on a political solution to the conflict in Darfur.

2. The Council strongly encouraged the parties to the CPA to sustain effective and timely implementation of this landmark agreement. In doing so, the parties will be able to count on continued EU support.

3. In this context, the Council expressed its concern about the tensions that have arisen in the East of Sudan. It underscored the need for a genuine, single, transparent, comprehensive and inclusive dialogue to address the tense security situation as well as the socio-economic and political marginalisation of eastern Sudan. It called upon the Government of Sudan and the Eastern Front to rapidly reach an agreement on the modalities of such a dialogue, which should include regional stakeholders.

4. The Council reiterated its deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Darfur, as well as the situation of human rights. The EU and its Member States will continue to provide financial resources for humanitarian assistance. The Council strongly condemned the continuing attacks on civilians as well as the recurrent attacks on AMIS and the looting of humanitarian assets.

5. The Council welcomed the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) of 10 March and urged the parties to the conflict to implement it without delay. The Council commended the AU for having shown leadership in engaging the parties to the conflict to expedite the peace negotiations in Abuja with a view to concluding a peace agreement by the end of April 2006. In this context, it also welcomed the proposal to establish a Committee of Heads of State and Government.

6. The Council further welcomed the AU decision to extend the mandate of AMIS until 30 September 2006 and to set a framework for a transition from AMIS to a UN operation in Darfur. The AU decision will allow all stakeholders, including the EU, to assist both the AU and the UN in a successful transition.

7. The Council reaffirmed continued EU support for AMIS, together with other international partners, including through additional funding from the African Peace Facility and a donors' conference to be organised in cooperation with the AU and the UN. It welcomed Canada's intention to associate a number of Canadian police officers, deployed in support of AU mission, to the work of the EU Police Team working with AMIS.

8. The Council further welcomed the intention of the AU to strengthen AMIS in the transition period by exploiting all possibilities contained in its mandate and by implementing the recommendations made by the AU-led Assessment Mission in December 2005.

9. Recalling the constructive talks on Darfur held in Brussels on 8 March, the Council concurred with the AU that every effort had to be made to speed up the Abuja peace process and underlined its readiness to step up EU assistance in this regard. It welcomed the proposal for an enhanced ceasefire recently put forward by the AU Chief Negotiator Salim Ahmed Salim as part of a comprehensive set of compromise proposals to be tabled by the AU. It underlined the need to establish a roadmap for implementation with agreed timetables for action.

10. The Council recalled its support for sanctions against those blocking the peace process, committing human rights violations, or violating the cease-fire and the arms embargo. In this context, it will closely follow progress made in the peace negotiations in Abuja and steps taken by the parties to improve the security situation on the ground, including the cessation of hostile military flights in and over the Darfur region. The Council expressed its support for the ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of human rights abuses in Darfur and urged the Government of Sudan to fully cooperate with the ICC investigators.

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• EU Council Conclusions on Africa - 2736th GENERAL AFFAIRS Council meeting  (12/6/2006)
• Javier Solana exprime sa préoccupation au sujet de la situation au Tchad. (12/4/2006)
• Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on access for humanitarian operations in Darfur (6/4/2006)
• Commissioner Michel to call for faster progress in the peace talks on Darfur (7/3/2006)
• EU General Affairs Council Conclusions on Sudan/Darfur (Brussels: 27 February 2006) (27/2/2006)
• EU Presidency Declaration on agreement between Chad and Sudan (13/2/2006)
• EU External Relations Council Conclusions (31/1/2006)
• EU General Affairs Council Conclusions (30/1/2006)