Security Council renews mandate of Panel Experts on Sudan

March 11, 2024 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on March 8, 2024 extended through to 12 March 2025 the mandate of the Panel of Experts charged with assisting its Sudan sanctions committee, requesting a final report on its findings and recommendations by 13 January 2025.

The Council’s decision followed concerns over the ongoing conflict and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Darfur and recognizing that the situation in Darfur is strongly affected by the ongoing nationwide conflict and deteriorating humanitarian situation, strongly condemning attacks against civilians, widespread cases of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict.

As such, the Security Council members highlighted on reports by the Panel of Experts on the Sudan that armed actors are engaged in aggressive recruitment campaigns, and calling on all armed actors to cease recruitment campaigns.

It further stressed the need for all parties to the conflict in Sudan to cease violations of international humanitarian law and abuses and violations of international human rights law in Darfur and to adhere to their obligations under these laws, including their obligations to protect civilians from violence, including women and children 2/3 from sexual violence, and children from recruitment into their armed forces, and further stressing the need to ensure accountability.

The Council, however, requested the Panel of Experts to assess in its interim and final reports progress towards reducing violations by all parties and the implementation of the measures imposed and progress towards promotion of peace and stability in Darfur; violations of international humanitarian law or violations or abuses of human rights, including those that involve attacks on the civilian population, sexual- and gender based violence and violations and abuses against children, and other violations of the above-mentioned resolutions.

Ambassador Robert Wood, the alternative representative for Special Political Affairs said the United States is pleased the Council has adopted the resolution to renew the mandate of the Sudan Panel of Experts for another 12 months.

He said the resolution is an important statement underscoring this body continues to support the Panel’s independent reporting to shed light on the spiraling situation in Sudan.

“Renewal of the mandate for 12 months affords the Panel the opportunity to make up the time it lost during the previous mandate due to the brutal conflict plaguing the country,” the diplomat explained.

“We urge the Sudanese government and all relevant parties to allow the Panel to conduct research and interviews on the ground over the next 12 months,” he added.

Wood further said the United States is confident this renewed mandate, and the critical reporting it affords, will enable action to stop movement of arms into Darfur and support efforts to end the ongoing conflict.

“We remain ready to work with and support the United Nations to advance peace and security in Sudan,” he stressed.

The UN Panel of Experts on Sudan was created by the UN Security Council in 2005, and its main task is to monitor the arms embargo in Darfur.

(ST)