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SA Welcomes UNSC Resolution on Darfur Pretoria
- The South African Government welcomes the unanimous adoption by the UN Security
Council on Tuesday 31 July of a resolution establishing the AU/UN Hybrid Operation
for Darfur 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 AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (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. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853 Department
of foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 1 August 2007
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