PIO Special Repot

30 April 08

By: Public Information Office, Nyala – South Darfur

State Legislative Council Briefing Session on UNAMID Mandate and the SOFA

(30 April 08)

 

Mr. Ali Hassan UNAMID Acting Head of Office, upon an invitation from Mr. Ismael Yahia, Chairman of the Peace and National Reconciliations in the State Legislative Council, briefed the members of the legislative council and political parties on UNAMID’s mandate and the SOFA. Mr. Ali highlighted the agreement signed between UNAMID and the GOS regarding the deployment of the hybrid forces in Darfur. He said the agreement was based on UN Security Council Resolution 1769. He also added that the mission was established after the AMIS handed over its responsibilities to the new mission. According to Mr. Ali, the SOFA has its roots in the four previous legislations issued by UN Security Council which expressed the status of the hybrid forces. Mr. Ali said that according to the agreement, Sudan is regarded as a sovereign and independent country and that the agreement does not interfere with the internal Sudanese affairs.

 

Moreover, he highlighted the immunities and privileges that UNAMID personnel enjoy according to SOFA paragraphs that ensure that the mission conducts its operations according to international humanitarian law and conventions with full respect to the local culture and traditions.

He further said, according to what was stipulated in the SOFA, the mission and its personnel and people working for the mission shall enjoy unrestricted movement through out Darfur without any prior authorization from the GOS. Mr. Ali Hassan also indicated the immunities and privileges enjoyed by the mission’s civilian and military personnel in cases of criminal allegations. He stressed that the mission’s accused personnel should be treated according to the international juridical standards and that the immunity is only waived by the UN SG when he’s satisfied with the case after thorough investigation. According to Mr. Ali, UNAMID personnel caught by the GOS security forces while performing their duties should not be subjected to interrogations and should immediately be released and returned to the mission and that military personnel shall not be brought in front of Sudanese courts and that they should be subjected to their jurisdiction in their respective countries.

During the discussions, the chairman of the session said that Sudanese people have largely disputed over the presence of the hybrid mission in Darfur, while some regarded it as a savior; others looked at it as tool of occupation. He also indicated that a joint workshop will be organized for further interaction on UNAMID Mandate and activities.

Dr. Omer Abdul Jabbar, Minister of State Affairs commented on the discussion and said that all the previous and later UN Security Council resolutions regarding Darfur issue, starting with resolution 1593 have imposed pressure on Sudan. He also said Sudan had rejected these resolutions because its sovereignty was tarnished and that

the resolutions have putted pressure on the GOS but neglected the rebel movements. He finally said, the GOS is committed to its pledges and that any dispute arises between the GOS and the mission should be referred to the agreements signed between the two sides.

In his intervention, the Speaker of the Council commended the initiative and stressed the importance of considering the hybrid forces as friends not enemy since the government has accepted their presence and operation. He also invited the members of the council to convey the positive message that came out from the workshop to their communities. IN

 

IMr. Ali Hassan reacted to some questions raise by the audience on UNAMID’s role in Darfur and the mission’s capability of protecting civilians. He concluded by saying that there will be no winner in the Darfur conflict and that the only way out is the political process through the peace negotiations between all the concerns parties to the conflict and that unless the mission is supported by the people of Darfur, the GOS and the contributing countries the mission will not achieve its goals in keeping peace in the region.