UN Security Council extends peacekeeping mission in Darfur, forges new presence in Sudan

New York: The Security Council on Thursday announced the adoption of two separate resolutions to extend the mandate of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for two months, and to set up a follow-on presence in Sudan. Resolution 2525 decides to extend UNAMID’s mandate till December 31, 2020, and further decides that UNAMID shall maintain its current troop and police ceiling during this period.

The Security Council intends to decide by December 31, 2020, courses of action regarding the responsible drawdown and exit of UNAMID. It requests the UN secretarygeneral and the chairperson of the African Union Commission to provide the Security Council with a special report no later than October 31, 2020, which includes an assessment of the situation on the ground and recommendations on the appropriate course of action regarding the drawdown of UNAMID, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council, in a separate resolution, decides to establish a UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) for an initial period of 12 months. UNITAMS is tasked to help Sudan with its current political transition after the ouster of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir and a short period of military control in 2019, according to Resolution 2524.

UNITAMS will provide technical assistance to the constitution drafting process, the population census, and preparations for elections, says the resolution.

It will also support peace processes and the implementation of future peace agreements; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Darfur and the other two restive areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile; support the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and co-ordination of humanitarian assistance.

Resolution 2524 requests the UN secretarygeneral to appoint expeditiously a special representative for Sudan and head of mission of UNITAMS.