Sudan
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On the morning of 8 May the Council is expected to hold an open meeting on the request of 6 May by the Permanent Representative of Chad, Ahmad Allam-mi, ”to discuss the attack perpetrated by the Sudan against…Chad.” The Secretariat is expected to brief and the Chadian ambassador is also likely to participate.
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While there are no formal requirements for meetings on Sudan in May, the Council is visiting Africa, which includes meetings with the AU in Addis Ababa in May. Sudan seems certain to be discussed along with the humanitarian situation. A briefing to the Council is possible following an expected visit to the country in May by John Holmes, the Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
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The mandate for the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) expires on 30 April. The Council is expected to renew the mandate. A briefing and consultations are also expected in April on the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).
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Council members anticipate that shortly a decision will be issued by the judges of the pre-trial chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning the prosecutor’s application of 14 July 2008 for the issuance of an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
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Consultations in the Council on UNAMID and UNMIS are expected in February. The Under Secretary-General for the Department of Field Support, Susana Malcorra, and the Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Alain Le Roy, are likely to brief the Council.
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The report of the Secretary-General on the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) is expected by 30 November, and the Council is expected to discuss it in December. The Under Secretary-General for Field Support, Susana Malcorra, and the Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Alain Le Roy, are expected to brief the Council on efforts to expedite the deployment of UNAMID. A briefing by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo, on his work in Sudan is also expected.
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The Secretary-General’s report on the hybrid UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is due on 30 September. Its mandate expires 31 July 2009, while the mandate for the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) expires 30 April 2009. It is unclear whether there will be any substantive discussion of Darfur issues.
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Darfur will continue to be a focus for the Council in September. In particular Council members are expected to discuss issues relating to the deployment of the UN-AU Mission (UNAMID) and current proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
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The situation in Darfur, attacks on the UN-AU Mission, lack of cooperation regarding its deployment, and tensions arising from proceedings before the International Criminal Court mean that Darfur issues will continue to be on the Council’s agenda in August.
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The Council is expected to adopt a resolution renewing the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) by 31 July. But there are significant divisions as a result of South African and Libyan proposals to include a paragraph suspending proceedings relating to Darfurbefore the International Criminal Court (ICC). This and other issues are
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The Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), which expires on 31 July. The Secretary-General’s quarterly report on the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS, deployed in the south) is also expected.
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Members have been discussing a draft presidential statement on the issue of Sudan’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC). It is unclear whether agreement will be reached. It is possible that Costa Rica, the draft’s sponsor, may table it as a draft resolution.
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In early June, a Council mission will visit Sudan and Chad. Discussions are likely to include:the north-south Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA);the recent violence, prospects for a cessation of hostilities and a peace process in Darfur;deployment of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID); and Chad-Sudan relations and the conflicts in both countries.
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A strong Council focus on Darfur is expected in May, in particular in the lead up to the scheduled Council visit to the region at the end of the month.
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The Council is expected to continue to closely monitor developments in Darfur, including the security situation, deployment of the UN-AU Mission (UNAMID) and political reconciliation. Consultations are likely on the Secretary-General’s expected monthly report. Darfur issues are also likely to emerge during the Council’s expected joint meeting with the AU Peace and Security Council in April. On the north-south issue, members are also expected to renew the UNMIS mandate which expires on 30 April.
