Rédaction Africa Links 24 with umajulius
Published on 2024-03-11 11:19:11
On March 11, 2024, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) announced that the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Sudan sanctions committee has been extended until March 12, 2025. The Council requested a final report on the findings and recommendations of the Panel by January 13, 2025. The decision was made in light of concerns regarding the ongoing conflict and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Darfur, which is strongly affected by the nationwide conflict and condemned attacks against civilians, as well as cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
The Security Council members emphasized the reports by the Panel of Experts, which revealed aggressive recruitment campaigns by armed actors in Sudan. They called for an immediate cessation of these recruitment campaigns and stressed the importance of all parties in the conflict adhering to international humanitarian and human rights laws, particularly in protecting civilians from violence, specifically women, children, and individuals vulnerable to sexual violence.
The Council requested the Panel of Experts to monitor and report on progress made towards reducing violations by all parties involved in the conflict. They also required the Panel to assess the implementation of measures imposed and progress towards achieving peace and stability in Darfur, including violations of international humanitarian law, attacks on civilians, sexual- and gender-based violence, and violations against children.
Ambassador Robert Wood, the alternative representative for Special Political Affairs, expressed the United States’ satisfaction with the Council’s decision to renew the mandate of the Sudan Panel of Experts for another 12 months. He emphasized the importance of the resolution in supporting the Panel’s independent reporting to address the escalating situation in Sudan.
Wood urged the Sudanese government and relevant parties to cooperate with the Panel to conduct research and interviews on the ground over the next 12 months. He expressed confidence that the renewed mandate and critical reporting would contribute to efforts to halt the movement of arms into Darfur and facilitate an end to the ongoing conflict.
The United Nations Panel of Experts on Sudan was established by the UN Security Council in 2005 with the primary task of monitoring the arms embargo in Darfur. The renewal of the mandate for another year underscores the international community’s commitment to addressing the challenging situation in Sudan and promoting peace and security in the region.
Overall, the extension of the Panel of Experts’ mandate reflects the ongoing efforts of the international community to address the conflict in Sudan and support the protection of civilians and the promotion of peace and stability in Darfur.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
