EU Council Conclusions on Sudan

2780th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

1. The EU is alarmed by the impact of the deteriorating security situation on the humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur and strongly condemns the killing of an AMIS police officer in Kutum on 1 February as well as the arrest and abuse of international humanitarian aid workers by Sudanese police forces in Nyala on 19 January. In this context the Council notes with concern the first case of a complete withdrawal by a humanitarian NGO from Darfur for security reasons, as well as the 17 January statement by the UN and NGOs that their operations may be unsustainable if the current situation persists. The Council reiterates its demand that all parties refrain from any form of violence against civilians and organisations providing humanitarian assistance. The Council urges all parties to respect their ceasefire commitments, recalling that UN Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005) determines that those impeding the peace process shall be held responsible and appropriate measures shall be taken accordingly.

2. The Council remains gravely concerned about the security situation in Darfur and condemns continued ceasefire violations by all parties. It denounces in particular the bombing of areas in Northern Darfur by the Sudanese Air Force, which disrupted the preparations for a meeting of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) commanders despite the fact that the Sudanese government had earlier declared its consent to the meeting. The Council is very concerned about the most recent findings by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict on the situation in Darfur. It welcomes the final establishment of the UN Human Rights Council High-Level Assessment Mission to Darfur, which has taken up its work on 9 February. The EU appreciates the important work of the mission. It urges the government of Sudan not to prevent the mission from fulfilling its crucial task and to issue the necessary visas as soon as possible.

3. The Council emphasises the need for an inclusive political process to solve the conflict in Darfur and confirms its support for the joint initiative of the AU and UN Special envoys to start negotiations between the parties as soon as possible. It expresses its expectation that SLM and other movements will prepare for early talks aiming at sustainable peace in Darfur, and welcomes recent initiatives in this respect.

4. The EU welcomes the agreement between the AU and UN on the details of the Heavy Support Package for AMIS. It encourages them to work jointly for its speedy implementation and to finalise the plans for the agreed hybrid force as soon as possible. The EU calls on the Sudanese government to cooperate in full with the preparations for and the deployment of the hybrid force. The Council reiterates its readiness to consider further measures, notably in the UN framework, against any party which obstructs its implementation. The EU remains committed to supporting AMIS in the transition period to the hybrid force. The Council will remain seized of this matter. At the same time, it encourages other donors to make additional contributions.

5. The destabilising effects of the Darfur conflict in the wider region, in particular in Chad and in the Central African Republic, are of continuing concern to the Council. The Council calls on governments and other parties to cease all support for rebel movements active in the territory of another country.

6. The Council also expresses its deep concern about the deteriorating security situation in Southern Sudan and in this context strongly condemns the attack on an UNMIS escort near Magwe on 26 January in which an UNMIS soldier was killed. The Council further calls on the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to refrain from violence and to renew their efforts to fully implement the CPA.

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• Darfur: EU Presidency Declaration concerning recent developments (13/4/2007)
• Darfur/Sudan: EUHR Solana condemns killing of five African Union soldiers (3/4/2007)
• Statement by EUHR Solana on presentation of Human Rights Council report on Darfur  (16/3/2007)
• Sudan and Chad: EU Commission allocates additional €60m in humanitarian aid to vulnerable people (14/3/2007)
• EU External Relations Council Conclusions (5/3/2007)
• EU Presidency Declaration on International Criminal Court´s investigation into Darfur  (1/3/2007)
• 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 Somalia (12/2/2007)
• EU Presidency Declaration on the situation in the Republic of Guinea (9/2/2007)
• République Démocratique du Congo: HR de l'UE Solana salue la formation du nouveau gouvernement (6/2/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Somalia (22/1/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan (22/1/2007)