resolution on Darfur
1 August 2007
Pretoria: The South African Government welcomes the unanimous adoption by
the UN Security Council on Tuesday, 31 July of a resolution establishing the
African Union (AU)/UN Hybrid Operation for Darfur (UNAMID) in Sudan. In this
regard, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma had noted that
South Africa was honoured to have participated in this debate in its capacity
as a non-permanent member of the UNSC and thus contributing to the unanimous
adoption of resolution 1769 (2007) which signals the beginning of a new era in
the international community's efforts to help the Sudanese people realise peace
and security in the Darfur.
The resolution mandates the establishment of the UNAMID which shall consist
of 19 555 military personnel, including 360 military observers and liaison
officers and an appropriate civilian component including up to 3 772 police
personnel and 19 formed police units comprising up to 140 personnel each. The
resolution provides that command and control structures for the hybrid
operation will be provided by the United Nations and that the force shall have
a predominantly African character. This means that offers from African troop
and police contributing countries will be considered first. However if African
troop and police contributing countries are unable to meet the Hybrid force
requirements, offers from other troop and police contributing countries will be
considered.
Preparation for deployment of UNAMID shall begin not later than October
2007, including, an operational capability, management and command and control
structures. The resolution also stresses the urgent need to mobilise the
financial, logistical and other support and assistance required for the current
African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), whose mandate is extended for a period
of six months until 31 December 2007.
South Africa calls on all parties to fully implement resolution 1769 (2007)
and help to ensure the success of UNAMID in the interest of international peace
and security and the Sudanese people.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
1 August 2007
