PRESS STATEMENT OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL (PSC) ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFRICAN UNION/UNITED NATIONS HYBRID OPERATION IN DARFUR (UNAMID)

The Peace and Security Council, at its 96^th meeting, held on 23 October 2007 , was briefed by the Commission and the AU/UN Deputy Joint Special Representative Designate in Sudan on the status of implementation of the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

The AU/UN Deputy Joint Special Representative Designate, as well as the Representative of the Government of the Sudan updated the Council on the latest developments on the ground and emphasized the complementarity of both the Hybrid Operation and the upcoming Darfur political talks in Tripoli , Libya .

Once again, the Council regretted the tragic attacks on the AMIS troops in Darfur on 29 and 30 September 2007 , and paid tribute to AMIS, the respective families and countries.

Council reaffirmed the full commitment of the African Union for the success of the peace process in Darfur .

Council welcomed the progress achieved with regard to the preparations made for the deployment of UNAMID and further welcomed pledges by African member countries, ensuring that the Mission maintains a predominantly African character as called for in the communiqué of the PSC of 30 November 2006, as well as in the UN Security Council Resolution 1769 (2007).

Council recalled that the United Nations Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The United Nations, therefore, is expected to provide continued and increased support to enhance the capacity of UNAMID and to take the necessary steps to significantly and rapidly improve the resources needed for the smooth transition from AMIS to UNAMID in order to accomplish all identified tasks by the deadline of 31 December 2007.

                                                                            Addis Ababa , 23 October 2007