United Nations Security Council Resolution 2228 – Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan

Resolution 2228 (2015)

The Security Council,

Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and presidential statements concerning the situation in Sudan and underlining the importance of full compliance with these,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan and its determination to work with the Government of Sudan, in full respect of its sovereignty, to assist in tackling the various challenges in Sudan,

Recalling the importance of the principles of the peaceful settlement of international disputes, good neighbourliness, non-interference and cooperation in the relations among States in the region,

Reaffirming the basic principles of peacekeeping, including consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force, except in self-defence and defence of the mandate, and recognizing that the mandate of each peacekeeping mission is specific to the country concerned,

Recalling all its relevant resolutions on women, peace and security, on children and armed conflicts, on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, and on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts,

Expressing deep concern at the serious deterioration in the security situation in Darfur overall so far in 2015, and the profound negative impact of this on civilians, in particular women and children, in particular through a marked escalation of hostilities between Government forces and rebel armed groups, as well as an escalation of inter-communal conflicts over land, access to resources, migration issues and tribal rivalries, including with the involvement of paramilitary units and tribal militias, and a rise in criminality and banditry targeting the local population; further expressing deep concern that the deteriorating security situation, as characterised by attacks by rebel groups and Government forces, aerial bombardment, by the Government of Sudan, inter-tribal fighting, banditry and criminality, continues to threaten civilians; and reiterating its demand that all parties to the conflict in Darfur immediately end violence, including attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel,

In this regard, expressing concern at evidence, collected by AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), of two air-delivered cluster bombs near Kirigiyati, North Darfur, taking note that UNAMID disposed of them safely, and reiterating the Secretary-General’s call on the Government of Sudan to immediately investigate the use of cluster munitions,

Emphasizing that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights must be held accountable and that the Government of Sudan bears the primary responsibility to protect civilians within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction, including protection from crimes against humanity and war crimes,

Recalling its resolution 2117 (2013) and expressing concern at the threat to peace and security in Darfur arising from the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, and the continued threats to civilians posed by unexploded ordnance,

Expressing deep concern at the significant increase in population displacements in 2014 and so far in 2015 and the consequent increase in humanitarian assistance and protection needs, with 430,000 newly displaced in 2014, around 300,000 of whom have been unable to return to their homes, a total number of long-term Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) of 2.5 million and a total number of people in need of humanitarian assistance of 4.4 million,

Recalling the commitments made by the Government of Sudan and other signatories to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) to ensure the unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to the population in need and the protection of humanitarian workers and their operations in areas under their control, as well as to guarantee UNAMID unimpeded freedom of movement in all areas and at all times in Darfur in the exercise of its mandate, and further recalling the role of the Implementation Follow-up Commission (IFC) in assessing the implementation of the DDPD,

Expressing concern that the continued denial of access and restrictions imposed on humanitarian actors have left significant gaps in the delivery o f humanitarian assistance, calling on the Government of Sudan to ensure humanitarian actors can operate in support of addressing basic needs,

Calling on donors, the Darfur Regional Authority and the Government of Sudan to provide the financial resources necessary to reach those in need,

Reiterating that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Darfur, and that an inclusive political settlement is essential to re-establishing peace, and underscoring the importance of fully addressing the root causes of the conflict in the search for a sustainable peace, which should rapidly deliver real benefits for the Darfuri people, in this regard reiterating its support for the DDPD as a viable framework for the peace process in Darfur, and for its accelerated implementation, as well as the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AU-HIP) mediated peace talks, and any credible moves to lay the groundwork for an inclusive, comprehensive and nationally-owned National Dialogue in Sudan,

Deploring the fact that some armed groups are impeding the peace process and have continued to resort to violence, reiterating its demand for the release of members of the former movement of Mohamed Bashar, taken captive in May 2013 by JEM-Gibril forces, and condemning any actions by any armed group aimed at forced overthrow of the Government of Sudan,

Noting that UNAMID’s ability to facilitate progress in implementation of the DDPD is hampered by delays and the absence of an inclusive political settlement between the government and non-signatory movements, urging the signatory parties to take the necessary remaining steps to implement the DDPD fully, expressing concern that the humanitarian and security situation, as well as the lack of capacity of the Darfur Regional Authority, hinder the transition from relief to stabilization and development activities, urging donors and the Government of Sudan to honour their pledges and fulfil their obligations in a timely manner, including those commitments made at the conference in Doha in April 2013, and affirming that development can support a lasting peace in Darfur,

Noting that local dispute resolution mechanisms play an important role in preventing and resolving inter-communal conflict, including conflict over natural resources, urging an intensification of effective efforts to prevent local disputes leading to violence, with its corresponding impact on the local civilian populations, acknowledging the efforts of Sudanese authorities and local mediators to mediate in inter-tribal fighting, with support from UNAMID and the UN Country Team (UNCT), and urging their continued work,

Welcoming regional and other initiatives, undertaken in close interaction with the Government of Sudan, to address the root causes of the conflict in Darfur and t o promote a sustainable peace, including the convening by the President of Chad, Idriss Deby Itno, of two mediation fora, encouraging the full coordination of such initiatives with the efforts of the Joint Special Representative (JSR), and commending the efforts of the JSR to secure peace, stability and security in Darfur, including through support to international, regional and national efforts to revitalise the peace process and increase its inclusiveness,

Underlining, without prejudice to the Security Council’s primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the importance of the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union (AU), consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, with regardto the maintenance of peace and security in Africa, particularly in Sudan,

Calling on all parties to comply with their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, stressing the importance that the Council attaches to ending impunity including through ensuring accountability and bringing to justice the perpetrators of crimes committed by all parties in Darfur, urging the Government of Sudan to comply with its obligations in this respect, welcoming the ongoing investigations by the Special Prosecutor for Darfur appointed by the Government of Sudan and stressing the need for further progress in this regard, reiterating the call for swift progress on the draft Memorandum of Understanding providing for UNAMID and African Union observation of the proceedings of the Special Court, and calling on the Government of Sudan swiftly to investigate attacks against UNAMID, and to bring the perpetrators to justice,

Reaffirming its concern over the negative effect of ongoing violence in Darfur on the stability of Sudan as a whole as well as the region, welcoming the ongoing good relations between Sudan and Chad, including on border control, and encouraging Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic to continue to cooperate in order to achieve peace and stability in Darfur and the wider region,

Commending the efforts of UNAMID towards promoting peace and stability in Darfur, and reiterating its full support for UNAMID,

Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 26 May 2015(S/2015/378) on UNAMID as well as his special report of 13 March 2015 (S/2015/163),

Taking note of the completion of the review commissioned by the Secretary-General on 2 July 2014 into the issue of under-reporting, and allegations of manipulation of reporting, by UNAMID, and welcoming the recommendations and conclusions contained in the review and the continued implementation of measures to address this issue,

Determining that the situation in Sudan constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 7475th meeting, on 29 June 2015.