Ban Ki-moon and Alpha Oumar Konaré:
High-Level Meeting on Darfur "powerful illustration of the international community's commitment to work with the Sudanese to achieve peace in Darfur"
A United Nations/African Union joint press communiqué issued upon the conclusion of the High-Level Meeting on Darfur held in New York on 21 September, and co-chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Alpha Oumar Konaré, described the meeting as "a powerful illustration of the international community's commitment to work with the Sudanese to achieve peace in Darfur" and "reflected AU-UN commitment to working closely together to address the crisis."
In the communiqué, the AU and UN urged all parties to join in the political process and prepare themselves for the negotiations which are due to begin on 27 October in Libya. Participants confirmed their support for the talks and expressed strong expectations that the negotiations would be inclusive and decisive, stressing that the parties should seize this unique opportunity to resolve the conflict. The UN Secretary-General also announced the creation of a Trust Fund to provide financial support for the talks.
On peacekeeping, the African Union and the United Nations appealed for support in their efforts to ensure deployment of a force that would be able to effectively fulfill its mandate and which would have an immediate positive impact in Darfur, while reiterating their commitment to ensuring the predominantly African character of the joint AU-UN operation. The two Organizations called upon member states to make pledges to this effect so that force generation and deployment benchmarks set by the Security Council could be met.
They also emphasized the critical importance of receiving sustained support from the Government of Sudan on operational issues, including land for the building of UNAMID camps, provision of airport landing rights for heavy aircraft, clearance for night flights, an agreement to drill for water, and full freedom of movement for the operation.
At the same time, the AU and the UN expressed concern about the level of violence, the continuing fragmentation of the non-signatory movements, and the deterioration in the humanitarian situation. They called on all parties to exercise full restraint, abide by previous commitments, and cease all hostilities in the lead up to political negotiations. They stressed in that regard the importance of establishing an effective ceasefire monitoring mechanism.
The meeting also provided a valuable reminder that peace in all of Sudan depended on continued efforts to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, according to the press communiqué.
In response to questions, Mr. Ban and Mr. Konaré reiterated their commitment to ensuring that UNAMID, which is slated to take over from the existing AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) at the start of next year, be deployed as quickly as possible. Mr. Konaré stressed that are no differences between the African Union and the United Nations and that there will not be any problem with the Sudanese Government on the composition of the forces. "Our concerns are the same to have troops quickly on the ground with the trust of the Sudanese Government to ensure peace", Mr. Konaré said.
Security Developments
Southern Sudan and Transitional Areas
On 20 September, five armed persons in military attire attacked a mini bus carrying about fifteen passengers in a location about 2 km from Gemmaiza (about 110km N of Juba), Central Equatorial State, along the Juba-Bor Road. Four passengers were injured.
Darfur
In North Darfur, two armed men robbed an INGO vehicle parked near the INGO office in El Fasher on 20 September. The vehicle was later recovered in the Birmaza area.
On 22 September, three armed men hijacked an INGO vehicle in Abu Shouk IDP Camp. The perpetrators entered the INGO for treatment and remained in the vicinity of the clinic after the treatment. As staff members of the INGO were preparing for departure, the three men pulled out weapons they hid outside the clinic and robbed a vehicle of the INGO and fled the scene.
In South Darfur, a convoy of two World Vision International (WVI) vehicles with eight people on board was ambushed on 20 September near Bulbul Timisgo, a small village on the main road between Nyala and Kass in South Darfur. The vehicles were clearly marked as belonging to a humanitarian organization. Two WVI staff were shot in the head, and a third in the arm. The remaining staff suffered minor injuries caused by glass fragments and shrapnel. On the request of the non-governmental organization (NGO), the United Nations arranged for medical evacuation. Upon arrival in Nyala, two of those shot were flown to Khartoum for medical attention, while one was treated in Nyala due to the severity of his injuries. The other five World Vision staff were treated and released. All have survived the attack. On 22 September, the INGO staff members were relocated by the UN from Ed Al-Fursan to Nyala.
On 20 September, a two-vehicle convoy of an INGO was stopped by nine Arab nomads armed with AK47 sub-machinegun in a location 3km after GoS military checkpoint on its way from Halouf (20 km N of Nyala) to Nyala. While the first vehicle, a pickup, stopped, the second vehicle, a Land Cruiser, managed to escape from the scene. The attackers released the first vehicle without taking anything, as they seemed to target only Land Cruisers. No injury and damage for the staff and their properties were reported.
In West Darfur, on 19 September, three armed men reportedly attacked border warden officers at the Asad well in El-Geneina and robbed their vehicle.
On 21 September, unknown armed men reportedly attacked a police officer at a water well outside AbuSuruj and robbed his vehicle.
On 21 September, two unknown armed men broke into an INGO office compound, ransacked the whole building, and stole a laptop, a TV set and a satellite receiver.
On 21 September, unknown men attempted to break in an INGO office compound in Zalingei but abandoned the attempt and fled after the security guard raised the alarm.
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