ا اة UNITED NATIONS

UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SUDAN

Office of the Spokesperson

UNMIS NEWS BULLETIN* 4 November 2007

UN Security Council Extends United Nations Mission for Six Months, Urges Parties to Meet CPA Commitments

The Security Council unanimously adopted on 31 October 2007 Resolution 1784 (2007), in which the Council extended the mandate of UNMIS for six months until 30 April 2008. The Council expressed its intention to extend the UNMIS mandate for further periods after an assessment, requested from the Secretary-General, is conducted on whether any changes were needed in the Mission’s mandate to strengthen its ability to facilitate full implementation of the Peace Agreement.

The Security Council urged the parties to meet overdue commitments stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), including finalization of the redeployment of forces and the demarcation of borders.

The Security Council urged UNMIS to pay particular attention to the redeployment of forces and the lessening of tensions in the areas of Unity, Upper Nile, South Kordofan, Abyei and Blue Nile, calling on the parties to take steps to reduce tensions in Abyei and to allow UNMIS access to all those areas.

The Security Council called on donors to support disarmament, demobilization and reintegration initiatives, along with the Joint Integrated Units, in order to help reduce tensions.

The full text of the resolution is available in the six official languages of the UN at the following address: http://www.un.org/documents/scres.htm

Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ashraf Qazi Visits Southern Sudan

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sudan, Mr. Ashraf Jahangir Qazi, conducted a two-day visit to Juba, capital of Southern Sudan and Bor in , on 31 October and 1 November.

During his visit to Juba, SRSG Qazi met First Vice-President of the Sudan and President of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Salva Kiir Mayardit, Vice-President of the GoSS Riek Machar, and Speaker of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly James Wani Igga.

During his meeting with First Vice-President and President of the GoSS Salva Kiir Mayardit, SRSG Qazi underscored the critical importance of successful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) for sustainable peace, stability, and development throughout Sudan. He stressed the readiness of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to assist the two parties in achieving the objectives of the Agreement and in bringing its implementation process back on track.

“I am grateful to His Excellency Mr. Salva Kiir for the thorough, frank, and clear views and ideas he shared with me on all issues discussed, in particular the implementation of the CPA, as well as

UNMIS Headquarters, P.O. Box 69, Ibeid Khatim St, Khartoum 11111, SUDAN. Tel.: (+249-1) 8708 6000 Fax: (+249-1) 8708 6200 on the role UNMIS could play to assist in expediting implementation of pending issues”, SRSG Qazi said. “I am looking forward to working closely with His Excellency Mr. Salva Kiir and with the leadership of the Government of National Unity and the GoSS to assist in ensuring that the objectives of the CPA are met”, SRSG Qazi stated.

During his meeting with the Vice-President of the GoSS and the Speaker of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, SRSG Qazi reiterated the readiness of the United Nations to do its utmost to assist in ensuring a successful implementation of the CPA.

SRSG Qazi also visited Bor, Jonglei State, and met with the Governor and Senior officials of the State Government. The SRSG heard a briefing from Governor Philip Thon Leek on the situation in the State, including existing challenges in the areas of development and security, and assistance required from the United Nantions.

During his visit to Juba and Bor, SRSG Qazi held meetings with UNMIS and UN senior managers and staff. The SRSG was briefed on the United Nations activities in Southern Sudan, including on achievements made and gaps to be met in support of the implementation of the CPA. SRSG Qazi emphasized the key role the UN field staff, particularly the national staff, has been and will continue to play in carrying out diverse and complex tasks in support of the CPA. “The CPA is the backbone of durable peace and development in Sudan and our top priority is to do our best, in close cooperation with the parties, to ensure its successful implementation. That’s what we are here for and I intend to foster the confidence of the leadership and the people of the country in the ability of the UN to help them carrying out the CPA implementation process, through tangible and focused actions that will contribute to addressing the numerous and daunting challenges that Southern Sudan and other areas in Sudan continue to face”, Mr. Qazi said.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ashraf Qazi Meets GoSS Minister for Presidential Affairs Luka Biong in Khartoum, Discusses with Visiting US Special Envoy Andrew Natsios Recent Developments Regarding CPA Implementation Process

SRSG Ashraf Qazi met on 3 November in Khartoum GoSS Minister for Presidential Affairs Luka Biong and informed on the discussions he had during his visit to Juba on the implementation of the CPA with First Vice-President and President of the Government of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit and GoSS Vice-President as well as with the Speaker of the of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly. SRSG Qazi affirmed the UN commitment to assist the parties to the CPA in ensuring a successful implementation of the CPA and briefed him resolution 1784 (2007), which extends extending UNMIS’ mandate and highlights several critical issues pertaining to the implementation of the Agreement.

Minister Luca Biong informed the SRSG on the outcome of the recent deliberations of the Presidency on pending issues, including the agreement reached to accept and implement the decisions of the last meeting of the Political Ceasefire Commission held on 1 November with regard to redeployment of troops.

The Minister emphasized the importance of the NCP-SPLM partnership and stated that inspite of differences; the NCP’s courage to end the war and make peace needed recognition and appreciation.

The Minister informed the SRSG on the visit to be conducted by First Vice-President and GoSS President Salva Kiir Mayardit to the United States where his activities will include a meeting with the UN secretary-General.

UNMIS Headquarters, P.O. Box 69, Ibeid Khatim St, Khartoum 11111, SUDAN. Tel.: (+249-1) 8708 6000 Fax: (+249-1) 8708 6200

Page 2 SRSG Qazi also met in with US Special Envoy Andrew Natsios 2 November and exchanged views with him recent developments regarding the CPA implementation, including assistance that could be provided to the parties to expedite implementation of critical pending issues.

Initial Management, Command and Control Capability Inaugurated for New UNAMID Headquarters in Darfur

In a press release issued on 1 November, the Office of the AU-UN Joint Special Representative, Rodolphe Adada, announced that the initial management, command and control capabilities for the United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), were formally launched on 31 October, 2007 in El Fasher, North Darfur State, as stipulated in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1769.

The management and command as well as control structures, through which operational directives will be implemented, are now in place and the financial arrangements that will cover the costs for all troops and personnel deployed to AMIS have henceforth also been established.

This is an important milestone on the road to the full handover from AMIS to UNAMID scheduled for 1 January, 2008.

AU/UN Joint Special Representative Rodolphe Adada urged troop contributing countries to pledge the technical support units to the new force that are still required, particularly helicopters and ground transport and also stressed that the Government of Sudan should do all it can to facilitate and assist UNAMID rapid deployment.

Mr. Adada also expressed thanks and gratitude to Sudanese officials through the Governor of North Darfur State Mohamed Osman Kibir, who was represented by his deputy, for providing land for the construction of the AMIS Forward Headquarters.

Security Developments

Southern Sudan and Transitional Areas

An INGO vehicle with two staff members on board was ambushed on 1 November by unknown gunmen about 12 km from Kolmarek, Jonglei State. The staff member driving the vehicle was shot and killed during the attack. The other staff member managed to escape and was later found in village on 2 November. The body of the deceased staff member and the vehicle have been recovered. The motive of the attack is unknown.

On 30 October, a group of armed men, allegedly from the Murle tribe, attacked a cattle camp in Makol Chuei Boma in Bor County. Two herdsmen were killed and four others were wounded during the attack. The attackers left the scene with about a thousand cattle. Locla police is investigating the incident.

Darfur

In North Darfur, three armed men broke into an INGO warehouse in Kebkabiya (approx 120 km West of El Fasher) on 30 October and stole a vehicle. The staff members were harmed during the incident.

In West Darfur, two women from the Erenga Tribe were shot dead and a child was wounded on 31 Octobe on the main road between Kondobi and Birdageeg, 30 km North of El Geneina. No

UNMIS Headquarters, P.O. Box 69, Ibeid Khatim St, Khartoum 11111, SUDAN. Tel.: (+249-1) 8708 6000 Fax: (+249-1) 8708 6200

Page 3 information is available on the identity of the attackers and their motives. The injured child was taken to El Geneina for treatment.

On 30 October, three armed Arab militiamen on horse back entered Dorti IDP camp and shot a man they were looking for who died upon arrival to El Geneina hospital.

On 3 November, 13 persons from Hassa Hissa IDP camp in Zalingei were assaulted by armed Arab militia on their way to fetch firewood in Wad Azaum, 5 km East of Zalingei. The IDPs returned to the camp. No major injuries were reported.

All UNMIS News Bulletins are available at www.unmis.org

UNMIS Headquarters, P.O. Box 69, Ibeid Khatim St, Khartoum 11111, SUDAN. Tel.: (+249-1) 8708 6000 Fax: (+249-1) 8708 6200

Page 4