PSC/PR/Comm(XLI)
Page 1
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 41ST MEETING
OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 41st
meeting, held on 10 October 2005, adopted the following decision on the
deteriorating security situation in Darfur:
The Council,
1.
Expresses deep concern over the deteriorating security situation throughout
Darfur since late August 2005, including the killings, wounding, and abduction of the
African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) personnel, and the recent trend whereby
civilians and IDPs are deliberately targeted and effective delivery of humanitarian
assistance impeded, as well as the shoot-to-kill policy against the AMIS personnel
and others;
2.
Unreservedly condemns the killing of two members of the Nigerian
contingent serving with AMIS in Sector 2, Nyala, and two civilian drivers, employees
of an AMIS contractor, PAE, as well as the abduction of 38 AMIS personnel in Sector
5, Tine, and the seizure of their equipment and vehicles. Council demands the
immediate and unconditional release of all abducted AMIS personnel, together with
their equipment and vehicles. Council holds the parties responsible for the atrocities
committed and requests them to hand-over the perpetrators to be brought to justice;
3.
Equally condemns, as reported by the AMIS, the attack by the Sudan
Liberation Movement Army (SLMA) on Arab nomads in Turba, near Al Malam, on 23
August 2005, followed by their attack on the Government of the Sudan (GoS) military
camp in Sheiria on 19 September 2005, as well as the Janjaweed/Armed militia
attack on Aru Sharo, Arga and Gosmino, on 28 September 2005, and the attack on
Tawilla and its IDP camps on the 29 September 2005, all of which resulted in high
casualty on innocent civilians and disruption to humanitarian activities in the area;
4.
Expresses concern that these incidents, unless brought to an immediate end,
could adversely affect the on going efforts to bring about a comprehensive peace
agreement in Darfur,
5.
Demands that all the parties fully respect their commitments under the
N’djamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement of 8 April 2004 and the related Abuja
Protocols on Humanitarian and Security Issues, and avoid acts that could undermine
the AU efforts in Darfur. In this respect, Council calls upon the rebel movements to
submit to the verification of their locations and urges especially SLM/A to refrain from
further violation of the N’djamena Ceasefire Agreement and the Abuja Protocols by
attacking GoS positions and military convoys, as well as hindering AMIS patrols and
the free flow of commercial and humanitarian traffic on the roads. Council further
calls upon the GoS to restrain its police and military and use all necessary means to
restrain and disarm the Janjaweed/armed militia;