YouSaid · the spoken record

Eliasson

lines on the record: 98
first: 2007-11-27
most recent: 2014-03-19
sittings or episodes: 4
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The most pressing matter at the moment is security. We have been repeatedly urging the parties to exercise restraint, refrain from military activities on the ground and accept that a political solution is the only path to resolution of the conflict. As Council members will recall, establishing a strengthened ceasefire was the third component of the Addis Ababa conclusions of November 2006, together with the peacekeeping and political tracks. An agreement on a cessation of hostilities and a credible monitoring mechanism for such an agreement are a necessary step on the path towards peace. As a demonstration of their commitment to the political process, the parties should now unilaterally declare and respect a cessation of hostilities, as well as cooperate in the efforts to reform the existing ceasefire mechanisms.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“and Minni Minawi - a signatory of the Darfur Peace Agreement, as members know - on how to resolve the crisis in Darfur. Much more also needs to be done by all parties to improve safety and humanitarian conditions on the ground. Of course, the Government has the primary responsibility for upholding security, justice and respect for international law. The experience of the last months demonstrates more than ever that resolution of the Darfur crisis requires an environment conducive to peace. While the people of Darfur cannot wait forever, we will have to accept that the steps towards an eventual peace agreement will be incremental and will take longer than we had initially hoped. While continuing our efforts on the political track, we should thus also concentrate on the issues of immediate concern to the population.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Many of them will be responsible for the implementation of a future agreement, and they will hold the parties accountable for their commitments. After one year of engagement with the parties, I would like to attempt to give the Council a realistic assessment of where we find ourselves in the search for peace in Darfur. The parties have no doubt made progress in their preparations. But they are still, to a great degree, not ready to engage in substantive talks. As stated, the movements still lack consolidated positions and have not yet formed a joint team. We commend the governing parties, the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM, for resolving their differences and resuming cooperation within the Government of National Unity of the Sudan. But there is still need for a common strategy incorporating the positions of the NCP, SPLM.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“In addition, together with UNAMID and the Darfur-Darfur dialogue, we are increasing our work to incorporate into the peace process the views and concerns of civil society, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and traditional leaders through the establishment of what we call advisory forums. These forums will serve as mechanisms for the selection of observers from civil society for the talks and as information channels to and from the people of Darfur. Too often in history, efforts to resolve conflicts and build peace have been limited to those who have taken up arms. In Darfur, ordinary citizens and the IDPs have carried the burden and paid a huge price for the conflict. It is essential that we establish effective communications with the people of Darfur about expectations, progress and, in due time, results of the talks.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Instead, we have encouraged the movements to speed up the unfinished work of preparing common positions and a common negotiation team. In short, Mr. Salim and I believe that the convening of a preparatory meeting during the coming weeks would be premature, due to the movements' internal preparations and efforts to reach a critical mass of participation. To this must be added the fragile security situation and the tense Chad-Sudan relationship and its effects on the region and on the political process in Darfur. Against this background, the mediation is strengthening its efforts to assist the movements' preparations. Our team will have consultations with the movements on various substantive issues during the next few weeks. Of course, it will also engage the Government on these matters.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“I personally had a lengthy 3 and constructive discussion with Abdul Wahid in Paris last week. However, he and his movement are still not ready to engage in negotiations until certain preconditions are met, primarily related to security for the people of Darfur. The fifth grouping, JEM-Khalil Ibrahim, has stated that it is committed to the political process, provided that, inter alia, there be only two movements at the talks, the JEM. and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM). However, it is also clear that this movement is engaged in military activities. Some of the movements have requested additional time to achieve unification. Mr. Salim and I have long cautioned against the more ambitious objective of full unification as a condition for talks to begin. This may take a long time.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Out of the five main groupings, two groups - the SLA-Unity and the URF - have expressed their willingness to join the political process and participate in a preparatory meeting, in workshops and, of course, in the substantive talks. They should be commended for their commitment to the search for a political solution. Furthermore, both groups continue to be engaged in coordination discussions with each other and with other movements. A third grouping, SLA-Abdul Shafi, now based in Juba, has requested to go to Darfur to consult with its constituency and has also expressed reservations on the format and venue of the talks. SLA-Abdul Wahid and Abdul Wahid's representatives in the field have recently engaged in dialogue with the mediation and the UNAMID Force Commander, General Agwai.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Thus, prospects for quick agreements on common positions and a negotiation team appear dim. To facilitate the movements' preparations for the negotiations, the idea has been proposed of hosting what we call an Arusha-style preparatory meeting with the movements, in close coordination with our regional partners, in order for them to coordinate their positions. Such a meeting could be followed by workshops to finalize preparations for the talks. However, holding such a meeting would not meet its objective without the presence of what I would call a critical mass of movement representatives. To determine the movements' readiness, Mr. Salim, I and our team have been out in the field and have consulted extensively with the leaders of the movements during December and January through missions to Darfur, Juba and locations outside the Sudan.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Further consultations have also continued within and between them on the ground in Darfur. 08-23190 As a result, as of now, the movements have coalesced around five groupings: SLA-Unity, the United Resistance Front (URF), SLA-Abdul Shafi, SLA-Abdul Wahid and JEM-Khalil Ibrahim. This is an improvement compared to the situation in which we found ourselves last year at this time, when many movements were fragmenting, unconvinced that a political solution was the best way forward. We must, however, be aware that the movements are continuously repositioning themselves. Unification and coordination efforts continue but remain fraught with difficulties, not least related to unresolved leadership issues. The movements have still to prepare for discussions on substantive matters for the talks.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Coupled with the slow deployment of UNAMID, not seeing positive change on the ground will continue to frustrate a population with rising expectations regarding security, protection and early recovery programmes. That is particularly the case not only in the camps for internally displaced persons, but also in rural communities where the population is in dire need of support. I saw that with my own eyes during Visits in December and January. The launching of the peace process in Sirte in October served as a catalyst for accelerating the movements' preparations for the talks. Mr. Salim and I were encouraged by recent steps forward by the movements to reorganize and unite. In Juba, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) was able to successfully assist a number of them in coming together during the autumn.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“In recent months, there have also been several cross- border incursions between Chad and Darfur, as we all know. After the attacks on N'Djamena by rebel groups last weekend, the situation is now calmer, but it remains fluid and fragile. All these developments, and the subsequent continued tensions between Chad and Sudan, have detrimental consequences for the Darfur political process. It should be added that humanitarian actors remain deeply concerned about the safety of their staff and about their ability to provide assistance to the civilian population. This comes at a time when malnutrition continues to rise and crop failures are occurring or foreseen in parts of Darfur.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“During this time, the parties have not 08-23190 been able to finalize their preparations for substantive talks or engage in confidence-building measures to improve prospects for negotiations. Those problems have been compounded by the slow deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), undermining the chances to demonstrate to the people of Darfur that the international community is bringing security to them. As Council members are aware, for some time there have been serious clashes between the Government of Sudan and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)-Khalil Ibrahim forces in West Darfur. Earlier this week, Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) Unity movement units clashed with forces of the Government of Sudan in North Darfur, and there have been reports of continued aerial bombardments.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Since then, we have been working intensely with the parties in preparation for substantive talks. Some progress has been made in bringing the parties closer to the negotiating table. But we have also been faced with a deteriorating security situation, as well as other constraints largely beyond our control. When I briefed the Council in November, I highlighted the key role of the political process in bringing about normalization and peace in Darfur. At the same time, I stressed that progress will be impossible without the creation of an environment conducive to substantive negotiations. Over the past few months, the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur and in the region has dramatically deteriorated, most recently through events related to Chad.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“Mr. Eliasson: Thank you very much, Mr. President, for inviting me to make this briefing to the Security Council. As members are aware, it has been over one year since my African Union (AU) counterpart, Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim, and I embarked on our work to re-energize the political process for Darfur. In that pursuit, we have received active, persistent and committed support from the Secretary-General and from the AU Chairperson. We have met and consulted widely with the parties, with civil society, with regional partners, with the international community and, of course, with the Security Council. We convened a productive meeting with the movements last August in Arusha. We launched the first phase of the peace talks through the opening session in Sirte on 27 October.”
2008-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5832 (2008) · source
“If we have complete defiance of that process, it is up to member States to draw the conclusions that they find the most appropriate and that will help the process to succeed in the end.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“I can say that when I am travelling and talking to both the Government of the Sudan and the movements, they are deeply aware of the fact that I will report what I learn during those trips to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who follows these issues extremely closely and with deep engagement, but also that we will report those developments to the Security Council. That usually makes an impression, if I may put it diplomatically. It is therefore up to member States to draw conclusions from the facts as we present them. I would hope that we now find ourselves in a process in which most of those who have hesitated to join the talks would come to the conclusion that they should join the talks, in the interest of peace for their people, and that we will have a quick and meaningful negotiation thereafter.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“After Sharm el-Sheikh, we will go directly to the field and work with the parties. We may then possibly be in a position where a meeting of the Arusha style is necessary and desirable, and then we hope to move as quickly as possible to the substantive talks. But I do not think that I want to put that in terms of exact dates. On the issue of enforcing the sanctions, it is not for the Special Envoys - and I know I speak on behalf of Mr. Salim on this point too - to either encourage or discourage, from our side, the sanctions. I note the presidential statement of 24 October by the Council (S/PRST/2007/4l), in which it supports the peace process and speaks about the risks involved in undermining the peace process and peacekeeping operations, if I recall the text.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“It is a difficult theatre, as we have seen, in which we have chosen to prove the importance of that cooperation, but we will certainly do our best to move this process forward. We must also remember that, in the end, everything comes back to the political will of the parties. There were questions on timelines and on enforcing sanctions. Those are the most difficult questions, which I have saved for the end. It is always desirable to have clear timelines and set deadlines, but it is also dangerous to set artificial deadlines when there is a political dynamic that we must respect. Mr. Salim and I will try to combine the sense of urgency that is definitely needed with making sure that we get the critical mass of representation at the talks. We will have the regional meeting, which is going to be important, as the meeting in Eritrea was.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“The threats against individual nations directed from different movements is something I, too, take seriously. I will travel myself to Darfur after the regional meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh. I will go out to the field and hope to meet as many of the movements as possible. I will also be in contact with other stakeholders and I will certainly send that message of the needed respect for the peacekeepers and for the authority of the United Nations and the African Union. That is an extremely interesting and fascinating, but difficult, task: working together in the spirit of Chapter VIII of the Charter and having the African Union and United Nations performing a common task, both in the area of peacekeeping and in the area of political talks.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“We will want to have their voices heard, but of course it will be done in such a way that the negotiation structure is not changed considerably. But we certainly need to have their voices at the table in different forms of consultations. We worked together, both with the Darfur-Darfur dialogue and with our own civil affairs component, the United Nations, which is well represented in the field. I take to heart the advice of some here about finding a chief mediator under the Special Envoys to do the day-to-day negotiation. We have, for the time being, two excellent chief mediators, Taye-Brook Zerihoun of the United Nations and Sam Ibok of the African Union. We will discuss the proposal made here. I understand that it goes in the direction of finding a joint chief mediator. It is an interesting proposal that we will carry forward.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“I am also very grateful for the Security Council's support for the inclusion, to the extent possible, of the voices of the people of Darfur - the civil society component. It was striking, I should like to say, how enthusiastic the representatives of civil society were at the meeting in Sirte. That positive image did not come out so strongly in the world press, but it was quite comforting to me, who had been travelling a lot in Darfur, seeing the camps and the villages out in the country, to hear those voices expressing the hope, longing and dreams for peace. I think we should keep in mind all the time what the people of Darfur really desire. I am glad that we, in a transparent manner, have been able to discuss that participation with the Government of the Sudan and also with the movements.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“A cessation of hostilities is extremely important, and I regret again that the absence of some of the movements did not make it possible to reach a meaningful cessation of hostilities agreement. We welcome the unilateral declaration of the Government, and we hope that the movements will now follow suit. We have, of course, a problem with monitoring, because we do not have the capacity yet to do the monitoring. We have not reached the level of deployment of troops to have a strong verification and monitoring mechanism, but I hope that will come with the deployment of troops. At this stage, that is therefore very much a political commitment that I hope the parties will all make.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“The peacekeeping operation, as Jean-Marie Guehenno will probably expand upon, is a huge enterprise, also costing enormous amounts of money. We need to be able to deal with the basic issues so that we will not carry on with measures that do not deal with the root causes. Everything the Council can do to make all parties engage and prepare for the talks is very important. I also hope that the Government of the Sudan will be clear with respect to its delegation and that it will be able to deal with the problems that I think it knows are there in terms of making sure that the delegation is one representing a Government of National Unity. That is important, again, for the strength of the negotiation process.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“It is very important for the credibility of the political talks that we have wide and full participation in those talks and that all assume that responsibility. I hope that those representatives of movements who hesitated to come now find themselves in positive and constructive discussions among themselves of how and when they will enter the process. I think and believe, from some of the contacts we have, that they will do so. We need to have a critical mass of participants from the movements to make the talks meaningful, and therefore everything the members of the Security Council can do, collectively and individually as representatives and Member States, is very important at this stage. We have to deal with the basic problems of Darfur. The humanitarian operation is a $700-million operation employing 12,000 people.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“Members can imagine life with fathers not going out into the fields, mothers being worried about what happens if they go out to pick up firewood, and youths growing up for nearly four years in some of the camps, radicalized, and with arms also coming into the camps. That is the new danger that we face, along with the tribal clashes, which are new phenomena that we have to analyse very carefully. I do not know whether members are aware of this, but there are more people dying in tribal clashes than in clashes between Government units and the movements. Over 700 people have been killed in tribal clashes this year. Those are the new realities and new dangers in Darfur that we have to follow very closely and try to prevent from exploding. The different points made here reinforce my and Salim's work in getting all parties to engage.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“That is why there is a relationship, after all, between the humanitarian situation, the security situation and the political talks. They mutually reinforce each other or, if negative, hurt each other. So I think we have to see the issues in their totality. I am also glad that our colleagues from South Africa and Slovakia brought up the situation in the camps. If I were to look back at this 11-month period in which I have been working on that issue, the most serious word of warning that I would want to extend to the Council concerns the situation in the camps. It is a situation of frustration and anger.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“Mr. Eliasson: To me, the summary that you made, Sir, in your national capacity reflects very well the views that I have heard expressed around this table. I want to express my deep appreciation, and I think I speak on behalf of my African Union counterpart and friend, Salim Ahmed Salim, in thanking you for the wide, deep and full support that you have given us in our work. It strengthens our hand considerably and we very much appreciate that expression of confidence. On a personal basis, I also want to express thanks to several participants here, with whom I have worked in other capacities. I am glad to see them in this incarnation, as our colleague from Slovakia said. I think it is important that we understand the importance of creating conditions conducive to peace and a political process.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“While we now urge the parties to intensify their preparations for the talks, we must not allow them to derail the process. We - as much as they - must keep the fate of the people of Darfur at the centre of our attention.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“At the same time, we have to recognize that the atmosphere now is less positive than it was last summer at the time of the adoption of Security Council resolution 1769 (2007) and the successful Arusha consultations. Factors beyond our control have, undoubtedly, impeded the process. Mr. Salim and I will continue to do our utmost to facilitate the peace process. We will, however, only be able to make progress if the parties show seriousness, political will and a focused commitment to peace. When the substantive talks begin, the parties should come prepared to make the compromises necessary to reach a just and lasting solution. The continued support of the international community, in particular the Security Council, for our efforts is critical, as demonstrated by the impact of Council resolution 1769 (2007).”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“We plan to meet with our regional partners on 4 December in Egypt to determine the course ahead: time frames for a possible Arusha- style meeting, as I just mentioned, the workshops and substantive talks. The role of the countries of the region is critical, as was evident at the regional 07-61468 meeting that Mr. Salim and I convened in Eritrea on 14 November. After the meeting in Egypt, I am planning to proceed to the Sudan to visit the movements in the field and movement leaders and meet with other stakeholders. To conclude, I believe we should all remain confident of the potential of this process to bring about a peace agreement for Darfur.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“We should not risk the credibility of this process by rushing to convene substantive talks if we do not have a critical mass of participants ready for them. At the same time, we must maintain the momentum through continuous engagement with the movements and with the Government of the Sudan and remind them of their commitments to the African Union and the United Nations and of their obligations to the people of Darfur. Protracted delays in reaching internal consensus on the part of the Government and the movements may otherwise become serious impediments to the start of substantive negotiations on Darfur. Over the next two weeks, Mr. Salim and I, together with our chief mediators, will be in close contact with the parties.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“Other movements have insisted that the delegation of the Government of the Sudan be one of national unity, with SPLM. and Minni Minnawi represented. The tensions between SPLM. and NCP and the stand-off between Minnawi and the NCP on the issue of Minnawi's demand for separate representation at the talks add to the difficulties now. All efforts must be made to ensure that these issues are resolved and that progress is achieved on implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. It is also important for the political process that UNAMID deployment proceed on schedule. Taking all those factors into account, Mr. Salim and I believe that we have to allow reasonable time for the composition of the Government delegation and for the movements to finalize their preparations for the talks.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“Access to them is, however, being obstructed by intimidation in different forms, also from within one of the movements. The IDPs and refugees were not present in Sirte. We are working intensely to ensure that they are informed of the developments in the political process. 07-61468 It is also important that the Arab population of Darfur be represented as part of civil society and within movement coalitions. The Secretary-General warned in his statement to the Council in October of the lack of preparedness and cohesion inside the movements. I gave a similar picture, as members may recall, of continuing fragmentation when I briefed the Council in June. Most movements remain sceptical about the Government's claim of renouncing the military solution. Some movements also continue to be engaged in hostilities.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“Such an Arusha-style meeting - I am referring to the meeting held in August in Arusha, Tanzania - could provide them with an opportunity to crystallize their positions, nominate their teams and finalize their preparations for the talks to start soon thereafter. We will also use the next few weeks to ensure that the voices of the people of Darfur are channelled into the political process. We are working closely with civil society, traditional leaders and Arab and women's groups to secure nominations to form an advisory council. Such an advisory council could be a primary channel of consultations between civil society and the Mediation. Here, the internally displaced persons and refugees are an important constituency which should be included in any consultation process.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“We hope that they will use the coming weeks to do so. Mr. Salim and l are appreciative of the initiative by the SPLM. to support the movements' unification efforts, but it is important to state again that the movements should stay focused on preparing for the negotiations. The more ambitious objective of reaching full unification may cause further delays in the peace process. In that respect, movements may need further facilitation by the African Union and United Nations Mediation. Should they request it, we would be prepared, in contact with our regional partners, to host a meeting for the movements as soon as possible.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“The movements now intend to return to Darfur to connect with field commanders and other factions on the ground in order to solidify their alliance. In addition to those groups, there are ongoing efforts within SLM/Unity in Darfur to restructure and coordinate positions. As a result of those efforts, we hope to soon see two or three groups of movements instead of the many factions we have worked with during the past year. These are positive developments, which, however, should be welcomed with a dose of caution. Unification efforts remain fragile. Loose coalitions and alliances have, in the past, failed due to competition over leadership. Thus far, the movements have mainly been speaking about unification and reorganization. They have not discussed, in depth, substantive issues or negotiation teams.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“For the African Union and United Nations to be able to start the workshops and issue the invitations to the substantive talks, the movements need to agree on common positions and form negotiation teams for the talks. Some of the developments in Juba over the past few weeks have been encouraging in that respect. The SPLM. has assisted the movements to coalesce around two major groups - the 11 different faction representatives working to reconstitute the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and five factions which have agreed to work together under one umbrella in what is called the new United Resistance Front (URF). Those two groups have pledged to coordinate their positions on the issues for the talks.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“We had originally envisaged that the weeks following the opening would be devoted to workshops and further preparations among the movements, not least to choose their negotiation teams. Because of the ongoing consultations among them in Darfur and Juba, in the Sudan, we have had to readjust our workplan. First of all, in an effort to intensify high-level contacts with the movements, we are now refocusing much of our work on Darfur and Juba. Secondly, we are working hard on the selection of representatives of civil society and other stakeholders to take part in the continued political process. Thirdly, we are coordinating even more closely with our regional partners.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“A gradual deterioration in the political, security and humanitarian field has been evident since the summer. The launch of the talks provided a catalyst for the movements to intensify their restructuring work. It was also essential to launch the talks simultaneously with the start of the UNAMID deployment. Let us also recall that this, after all, was the first time that parties to the conflict had met face- to-face since the Darfur Peace Agreement was signed in May 2006. The Darfur peace process should now be considered irreversible. There is no way back. It is critical to stay the course and maintain the political momentum. It is important to note that invitations to Sirte were issued on an individual and inclusive basis for the opening session only.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“Others expressed reservations with regard to the personalities invited and to the venue for the talks. Nevertheless, we must make a distinction, I believe, between those who did not come to Sirte but are still engaged in the peace process, on the one hand, and those who have rejected the talks or presented unrealistic preconditions for them, on the other. All parties must be aware that undermining the peace process comes at a price. Of course, there is reason to be disappointed that some key personalities did not attend the opening of the talks in Sirte. Questions have been raised about whether, for that reason, the talks should have been postponed. Events of the past several months have 3 clearly shown, in my view, that there is nothing to gain from delays.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“We also made it clear to the Government of the Sudan that the involvement of civil society and other stakeholders is critical and that we expected all efforts to be made to facilitate the dialogue. Regrettably, out of the 25 civil society representatives we had invited to the opening session in Sirte, only 13 were provided with the possibility to travel. We strongly made the point to the movements that they should not delay their work on reaching agreement on common positions and on a joint delegation to the substantive talks while they were working on their unification as movements. As the Council is aware, some of the leading personalities of the Darfurian movements did not come to Sirte. Some requested additional time for unifying activities and for the preparation of positions.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“In fact, that was one of the reasons why we had issued inclusive invitations to the opening session. However, the movements were not prepared to reciprocate that commitment due to existing divisions, the absence of some key personalities and, as they stated, a lack of trust in the intentions of the Government of the Sudan. In our meetings with the parties, Mr. Salim and I emphasized the importance of creating an environment conducive to political talks. We noted the need for confidence-building measures that could have a concrete impact on the security and welfare of the population in Darfur, in particular in the camps, where the situation is volatile. We cautioned against any action, military or political, that could undermine the trust between the parties and within the population of Darfur.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“The participation of representatives of civil society was important, reminding us that addressing the plight of the people of Darfur and the conflict's root causes must be at the centre of our efforts. The people of Darfur demand and strongly hope for protection and security, compensation and reparation, safe and voluntary return home, as well as recovery and development projects. There was widespread recognition in Sirte that there is no military solution to the conflict in Darfur. In that context, Mr. Salim and I welcomed the Government of the Sudan's announcement of a unilateral cessation of hostilities on the first day of the talks. Despite our request that it be upheld, the 07-61468 ceasefire was reportedly broken. As Council members are aware, we had hoped to secure a similar commitment from all parties.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“Exactly one month ago, on 27 October, the Darfur peace talks were launched in Sirte, Libya, under the auspices of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations and chaired by AU Special Envoy Salim Ahmed Salim and me. They were attended by the Government of the Sudan and representatives of Darfurian movements, the regional partners Chad, Egypt, Eritrea and Libya - also as host country - and of the international community, as well as by civil society, traditional and women's groups representatives from Darfur. The tone of the interventions at the Sirte talks was positive and constructive. Delegates expressed support for the AU-United Nations-led process and made commitments to reach a political settlement.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“The raids of Government forces into camps, as well as incidents in and around the camps, have led to loss of life, destruction of shelters and violations of human rights. Humanitarian access continues to be impeded. The recent forced relocation of IDPs in South Darfur is particularly worrisome. Those developments on the ground do not foster the atmosphere of safety, mutual trust and respect so sorely needed in Darfur. Let us recall that the Government of the Sudan has the primary responsibility for upholding security, justice and respect for international law, including through cooperation with the International Criminal Court.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“In October alone, more than 30,000 civilians were displaced by clashes between Government forces and non-signatories, as well as among Darfur movements themselves, bringing the total number of the displaced this year to almost 280,000 persons. Tragically, seven Sudanese humanitarian workers were killed in Darfur in October- the highest monthly casualties since July 2006. Fighting over the past two days in Chad 07-61468 underlines the volatility of the situation in the region. All those developments reinforce the urgency of finding a viable peace settlement. Inter-tribal conflicts over land and water resources continue and persist. There is increasing concern of Arab unrest and militancy, as well as of a spillover of the conflict into Kordofan. Tensions in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps are growing.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“He also indicated his preoccupation with the frictions between the movements, as well as between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP) within the Government of National Unity of the Sudan and their effects on the Darfur political process. It is, to begin with, important to recognize that those issues are interrelated. Slow progress in one aspect of our collective response to the Darfur crisis impacts the progress in other areas. The political process, the peacekeeping operation and the humanitarian efforts are mutually reinforcing. There is continued reason to be concerned by the present security and humanitarian situation, which clearly affects the political process.”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source
“Mr. Eliasson: I thank you, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to brief the Council on the Darfur peace process. Let me begin by giving on overall assessment of the situation in Darfur. I will then outline the latest developments and the proposed way forward. When the Secretary-General briefed the Council on 24 October, it will be recalled that he expressed serious concern about the overall security and humanitarian situation in Darfur, as well as the continuous difficulties with the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).”
2007-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5784 (2007) · source