By KUNA
United Nations : The Security Council late Friday “condemned in the strongest possible terms” the attack earlier this week by “elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces” on a supply convoy of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
The Council president, Libyan envoy Jadallah Altalhi, read out a statement in a council open meeting expressing the council’s readiness to “take action against any party that impedes the peace process, humanitarian aid or the deployment of UNAMID.” The council stressed that any attack on or threat against UNAMID is “unacceptable,” and demanded that there will be “no recurrence” of such attacks on the force. It welcomed Khartoum’s commitment to undertake a complete and full investigation into the incident, together with the United Nations and the African Union.
The council also called on the Sudanese Government to expedite full compliance with Security Council resolution 1769, which authorized the deployment of UNAMID, including through concluding all the necessary arrangements for the expeditious deployment of an effective force.
It reiterated that an inclusive political settlement and the successful deployment of UNAMID are “essential for re-establishing peace and stability in Darfur.
It also urged capable Member States to contribute the helicopter and transportation units necessary to ensure the successful implementation of UNAMID’s mandate.
UNAMID, currently 9,000-strong force which will eventually grow to 26, 000-strong, took over from AMIS on December 31st. US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters that the punitive action the council might take include “economic, political and military sanctions. It covers a broad range of steps that the council could decide on.” Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad told reporters following the council meeting “I don’t think there is condemnation against the Sudanese Government. The text talks about ‘elements’. Elements can mean anything and “we will do whatever is possible to make the deployment of UNAMID smooth and functional.” “This action by the council would not help much in improving the political as well as the security situation in Darfur. Giving much time to such a small incident two days ago in Darfur, then your integrity will be in question,” he said.