Communique: The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 258th meeting held in Addis Ababa, on 20 January 2011, adopted the following decision on the African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and the situation in that region Ref:PSC/PR/COMM.2 (CCLVIII)

AFRICAN UNION

UNIAO AFRICANA

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PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 258™ MEETING

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

20 JANUARY 2011

PSC/PR/C0MM.2 (CCLVIII)

COMMUNIQUE

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 258^h MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 258^th meeting held in Addis Ababa, on 20 January 2011, adopted the following decision on the African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and the situation in that region:

Council,

1. Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on the situation in Darfur [PSC/PR/2 (CXCVIII)] and the briefings by the Commissioner for Peace and Security and the Joint Special Representative for UNAMID, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, as well as by the representative of the Government of Sudan;

2. Recalls its communique PSC/PR/COMM-1 (CXCVIII), on the situation in Darfur and the activities of the African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur adopted at its 237^th meeting held in Kampala, Uganda, on 21 July 2010;

3. Expresses its concern at the upsurge in fighting between the Government and armed movements, and reiterates the need for renewed efforts to ensure cessation of hostilities between the armed belligerents. Council commends the efforts by the Government to broker reconciliation agreements, as well as the measures taken by UNAMID on the ground to promote security and protect civilians. Council pays tribute to UNAMID for its excellent work towards the improvement in the security situation on the ground, protection of civilians and support to early socio-economic recovery, in spite of the security challenges facing the Mission, and commends the JSR for his leadership and outstanding commitment and contribution to the quest for peace in Darfur;

4. Strongly condemns the kidnapping of peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel, as well as attacks that targeted UNAMID in October and November 2010, and January 2011, and acknowledges the importance of UNAMID's robust engagement in discharging its responsibilities for promoting security in Darfur;

5. Expresses its appreciation to all humanitarian and other agencies providing assistance to the needy population in Darfur and undertaking early-recovery activities in Darfur, and calls on all concerned to facilitate the work of these agencies, including ensuring their security and safety, as well as unrestricted access to the needy population;

6. Notes the protracted negotiations and the slow and limited progress in the Doha political talks, and stresses the need to ensure the speedy conclusion of the Doha peace negotiations, in particular the immediate completion of the political agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement (UM). Council, once again, demands that all the parties, in particular, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), engage in negotiations towards a ceasefire, in good faith and extend the necessary cooperation to the Joint Chief Mediator (JCM);

7. Welcomes the outcome of the meeting of 11^th January between the Joint Special Representative (JSR) and the President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), H.E. Salva Kiir, during which the GoSS reaffirmed its commitment not to allow its territory to be used to support cross-border attacks into Darfur;

8. Reiterates the importance of the prompt commencement of the Darfur-based Political Process (DPP) as an important mechanism in assisting the people of Darfur to participate in and support the peace process, and underlines the need to create an enabling environment, including, inter olio, protection of the civil and political rights of participants such that they can exercise their views without fear of retribution, freedom of speech and assembly to permit open consultations, freedom of movement for participants and UNAMID, and proportional and equitable participation among Darfurians. Council notes that any positive outcome of the Doha negotiations, whatever form it takes, should form the basis of the DPP, which will provide the required inclusive forum;

9. Welcomes the outcome of the meeting of 15 January 2011, chaired by the AUHIP and including the GoS, UNAMID and U.S. Government, that resolved the immediate implementation of the resolutions of the 6 November Sudan Consultative Forum, namely, the convening of the Darfur Political Process, under the auspices of the AUHIP and UNAMID, and the transition from the Doha peace process to an inclusive and holistic set of talks, involving all Darfurian communities, to result in a Darfur-Darfur Conference that will promote a lasting political solution to the conflict in Darfur. Council also welcomes the establishment of the Joint UNAMID-Government of Sudan technical Task Force to monitor the conditions for an enabling environment and to develop modalities for implementing and facilitating the DPP. Council requests the JCM to harmonize and coordinate the final phase of its activities in line with the DPP and in close coordination with the AUHIP and UNAMID;

10. Reiterates its full support to the work of the AUHIP under the leadership of President Thabo Mbeki;

11. Welcomes the commitment of the State of Qatar to support and contribute to the DPP and pays tribute to the Qatari authorities for their commitment to peace in Darfur and Sudan as a whole;

12. Decides to remain seized of the matter.