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U.S. Welcomes U.N. Renewal of Sudan Mission

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. (State Dept. photo)

The United States welcomes the United Nations Security Council decision to renew the U.N. Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), according to a statement released by the Department of State March 24.

The resolution stipulates that the mission will continue until September 24, and recognizes the transition from the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to a U.N. peacekeeping mission in the war-torn region of Darfur.

The Security Council action directs the secretary-general to accelerate transition planning and to present the Council with “concrete options and plans for a U.N. peacekeeping force in Darfur,” department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

McCormack added that the United States, the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Darfur, will continue to work with NATO and other international partners to help strengthen AMIS during the transition and to press for a comprehensive peace agreement. (See related article.)

For additional information on U.S. policy, see Darfur Humanitarian Emergency.

Following is the text of the statement:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
March 24, 2006

Statement by Sean McCormack, Spokesman

UN Security Council Action on Sudan

The United States welcomes the UN Security Council's adoption of a resolution renewing the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) for another six months, until September 24, 2006.  The U.S. will continue to provide strong support for implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

We are very pleased that the Council's resolution also recognizes the African Union's recent decision to support the transition of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to a UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur.  Today's action directs the Secretary General to expedite the transition planning, and to present the Security Council by April 24 with concrete options and plans for a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur.  We are also pleased that the Security Council has directed UNMIS to intensify its work to strengthen AMIS now, even as planning for the transition continues.

The United States has exerted decisive leadership to end the violence in Darfur and to achieve a peace accord.  The U.S. is also the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to the people of Darfur.  The African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur has helped to stop large-scale organized violence, and the U.S. has been pleased to support that effort.  The United States will continue to support AMIS during the transition, and is working with NATO and other international partners to mobilize efforts to strengthen AMIS while the transition to a UN operation unfolds. In support of the transition to the UN force in Darfur, the United States has already provided military experts to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to assist in the planning.

The United States will continue to press the UN Security Council and the Sudanese parties to act with urgency to stop the violence in Darfur and to achieve peace.