Armed attack in Chad prompts Security Council condemnation
The United Nations Security Council today condemned attacks by “armed elements” on Chad’s national army on Monday and also expressed concern that the continuing violence in western Sudan’s Darfur region might spill over into its neighbour.
The United Nations Security Council today condemned attacks by “armed elements” on Chad’s national army on Monday and also expressed concern that the continuing violence in western Sudan’s Darfur region might spill over into its neighbour.
“The Security Council recalls its concern that the persisting violence in Darfur might further negatively affect the region, in particular the security of Chad. It firmly condemns in this context recent attacks perpetrated by armed elements within Chad and in particular the attack on 19 December 2005 on positions of the Chadian national army in the town of Adré, and supports efforts to reduce tensions on the border,” the Council said in a presidential statement read by the United Kingdom’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Adam Thomson.
It welcomed the start of the seventh round of the African Union (AU)-led Sudanese peace talks on Darfur in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and expressed its appreciation to the AU, the international community and the donors.
“The Security Council is encouraged by the active participation of representatives from all invited groups of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), as well as members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement as part of the Government of National Unity, and urge their continued cooperation with the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and with the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS),” the Council said.
It also thanked AMIS for its positive role in reducing violence and promoting the restoration of order in Darfur.
The Council reaffirmed its determination to make full use of existing measures under its relevant resolutions, including holding accountable those responsible for violence and violations of the arms embargo in Sudan and those who impede Sudan’s peace process.
In a separate action the Council renewed the mandate of the four-member Panel of Experts, based in Ethiopia and monitoring a Council-imposed arms embargo in Darfur until next March.