Security Council Statement on Sudan

Presidential Statement on the Security Council meeting on Sudan delivered by Mark Lyall Grant, President of the Security Council and Permanent Representative of the UK Mission to the UN – 6 March 2012

"The Security Council expresses grave concern about reports of repeated incidents of cross-border violence between Sudan and South Sudan, including troop movements, support to proxy forces, and aerial bombardments, and views the situation as a serious threat to international peace and security.  The Council urges the two countries to implement and respect the letter and spirit of their February 10 Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Aggression and Cooperation, which was agreed under the auspices of the AU High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).

The Security Council demands that all parties cease military operations in the border areas and put an end to the cycle of violence.  It further demands that the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan take no action that would undermine the security and stability of the other, including through any direct or indirect form of support to armed groups in the other's territory.  The Security Council condemns actions by any armed group aimed at the forced overthrow of the government of either Sudan or South Sudan.  The Security Council affirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Sudan and South Sudan.

The Security Council reiterates that the core objectives of the international community and all stakeholders in Sudan and South Sudan are the peaceful co-existence of two fully viable states, embracing democratic governance, rule of law, accountability, equality, respect for human rights, justice and economic development, in particular the establishment of the conditions for conflict-affected communities to build strong and sustainable livelihoods.

The Security Council recalls the June 28 Framework Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) on political and security arrangements for Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states, and urges them to return to direct talks to resolve all political and security issues on the basis of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and of the agreed principles of the Framework Agreement.  The Security Council urges them to resolve the underlying issues that have fuelled the current conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, to end all violence, and to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities.  The Security Council strongly supports the efforts of the AUHIP and the UN to assist in this regard.  With regard to the humanitarian situation, the Security Council emphasizes the grave urgency of delivering humanitarian aid to avert a worsening of the serious crisis in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, and demands that the Government of Sudan and the SPLM N cooperate fully with the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies and organizations, and ensure, in accordance with international law, including applicable international humanitarian law, and guiding principles of emergency humanitarian assistance, the safe, unhindered and immediate access of United Nations and other humanitarian personnel, as well as the delivery of supplies and equipment, in order to allow such personnel to efficiently perform their task of assisting conflict-affected civilian populations in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States.  The Security Council welcomes the tripartite proposal by the UN, AU, and League of Arab States in this regard, welcomes its acceptance by SPLM-N, and encourages the Government of Sudan to do the same. 

The Security Council deeply deplores the continued failure of the Sudanese and South Sudanese security forces to redeploy from the Abyei Area in accordance with the 20 June 2011 Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area (S/2011/384) and the 8 September decision of the Abyei Area Joint Oversight Committee (S/2011/593).  The Security Council welcomes the decision of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism to establish and move forward with the Joint Border Verification Monitoring Mechanism, in accordance with the June 29, 2011 Agreement on Border Security and the Joint Political and Security Mechanism.  The Council urges the parties to agree on a map that will outline the area of operations for the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone and the area of operations for border monitors. The Council demands that the two countries accelerate implementation of the 20 June 2011 Agreement and the immediate establishment of the Abyei Area Administration, and work actively toward a long-term political resolution of Abyei’s final status. The Council demands that the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan facilitate the safe and dignified return of persons displaced from Abyei to their homes, and grant full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to the Abyei Area.  The Council emphasizes the need for a safe and cooperative migration season. 

The Security Council regards the settlement of oil and financial arrangements between the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan as a critical element of the two countries' security, stability and prosperity as viable states.  The Council affirms that any unilateral action related to the oil sector is detrimental to the security, stability, and prosperity of both states.  The Security Council strongly urges both states to work within the framework of the AUHIP’s January 2012 comprehensive proposal in order to reach mutual agreements without delay on transitional financial arrangements and commercial oil arrangements.

The Security Council urges the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to ensure that clear procedures for acquiring nationality in the respective states are in place, together with relevant documentation regarding residency or right to employment. If such arrangements are not in place before the end of the April 8 transition period, the Council urges both states to agree on an extension.

The Security Council strongly urges the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to reach agreement on the status of disputed areas along the Sudan/South Sudan border, and to agree on and swiftly implement a process and timeline for demarcation of the border under the facilitation of the AUHIP.

The Security Council reiterates its full support to UN peacekeeping missions in Sudan and South Sudan. It calls on Sudan and South Sudan to cooperate fully with the UN missions to ensure them free access throughout their areas of operation and to ensure unhindered and expeditious movement of all personnel, including by swiftly granting visas and travel permits, as well as ofequipment, provisions, supplies and other goods, including vehicles, aircraft and spare parts, which are for the exclusive and official use of UN missions. 

The Council strongly urges Sudan and South Sudan to continue working within the context of the AUHIP-facilitated negotiations process to reach agreement on all outstanding issues as soon as possible, and encourages the continued partnership among the AUHIP, the UN and other key international stakeholders to combine their efforts in support of those negotiations. 

The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Sudan and South Sudan. The Council expresses its gratitude and full support for the continuing work of the AU High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan and its Chair, President Thabo Mbeki, as well as of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haile Menkerios, and stresses the collaborative partnership between the UN and the AU in this regard. The Council calls on the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to extend their full cooperation to the AUHIP."