Sudan/Darfur: EU Council extends EU civilian-military supporting action

The Council adopted a decision extending until 31 December 2006 the EU civilian-military supporting action to the African Union mission in the Darfur region of Sudan (AMIS II) (13528/06).

This decision, which implements joint action 2005/557/CFSP, follows a decision taken by the African Union Peace and Security Council to extend the mandate of AMIS until 31 December 2006.

Pending transition of the African Union mission to a United Nations operation in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1706(2006), the EU will continue its civilian-military supporting action to AMIS II until the end of 2006. The EU supporting action, which was first agreed in July 2005, had already been extended by the Council in July 2006 until 31 October.

The EU civilian-military supporting action to AMIS II aims to ensure effective and timely EU assistance to support the AMIS II enhancement. Respecting the principle of African ownership, it supports the AU and its political, military and police efforts to address the crisis in Darfur. It includes support to the AMIS Civilian Police Component, planning and technical assistance at all AMIS levels of command, the provision of military observers, training of African troops and observers as well as strategic and tactical transportation.


FACTSHEET: EU support to the African Union Mission in Darfur - AMIS
AMIS II/05
October 2006

The EU and its Member States have been providing a wide range of support to the African Union's (AU) efforts to help stabilise the situation in Darfur since January 2004. This support has included financial, personnel and political support to the Abuja talks process and the Ceasefire Commission.

It also includes support to the AU Mission in the Darfur region of Sudan (AMIS) through the provision of equipment and assets, planning and technical assistance, military observers, training of African troops and civilian police officers and strategic transportation (EU civilian-military supporting action).

EU personnel currently deployed to AMIS II includes 29 police officers, 17 military experts, and 10 military observers. In addition, 3 military staff, one police officer and one political advisor have been deployed to Addis Ababa to support the EU Special Representative for Sudan (see below) in his contacts and cooperation with the AU. Finally, 3 officers will be deployed to the Forward Joint Mission Headquarters (Al Fasher).

In the same period, EU Member States have provided coordinated strategic airlift for well over 2,000 African Union personnel.

The EU has committed a total of EUR 242 million from the African Peace Facility in support of AMIS since June 2004. This has provided the funds necessary to pay personnel costs including salaries, allowances, insurance, travel, rations and medical costs.

Additionally, EU Member States have made substantial bilateral contributions - financial as well as the provision of expertise, equipment, food rations, airlift, etc. The estimated amount of Member States' support to AMIS is approximately EUR 115 million.

The EU Special Representative for Sudan, Mr Pekka Haavisto, who was appointed in July 2005, ensures coordination and coherence of the EU's contributions to AMIS. He is assisted by a team of EU military and police advisers in Addis Ababa.

| Haut |

• EUHR Solana welcomes International Criminal Court's initiative to present evidence on alleged crimes in Sudan/Darfur (27/2/2007)
• Harcèlement des agences humanitaires au Darfour: la Commission européenne exige à toutes les parties le respect du Droit international humanitaire (23/2/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan (22/1/2007)
• EUHR Solana hosts seminar for EU Special Representatives (17/1/2007)
• Darfur conflict: EU Commission provides further €17m in humanitarian aid (19/12/2006)
• EUHR Solana welcomes decision to send UN high-level mission to Darfur (13/12/2006)
• EU External Relations Council Conclusions (17/10/2006)
• EU General Affairs Council Conclusions  (17/10/2006)
• Darfur: EC President Barroso announces extra €40m in humanitarian aid (2/10/2006)
• European Commission statement on Darfur (18/9/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan/Darfur (15/9/2006)