Discorso pronunciato dall’Ambasciatore Inigo Lambertini, Vice Rappresentante Permanente dell’Italia presso le Nazioni Unite, al dibattito in Consiglio di Sicurezza sul Report del Segretario Generale sull’operazione ‘ibrida’ Nazioni Unite – Unione Africana —
Thank you, Madam President.
I wish to thank the Joint Special Representative, Jeremiah Mamabolo, and congratulate him on his appointment.
The situation in Darfur is changing rapidly and unevenly. Nevertheless the analysis of Italy remains clear, hinging on three crucial aspects:
– The political-security dimension;
– The root causes of instability in Darfur, starting with the humanitarian and human rights situations;
– The strategic review and the exit strategy of UNAMID.
First, the political-security dimension. In the past year the Sudanese government has demonstrated its wish to find a political solution to the Darfur question, as attested to by the unilateral cease-fire and the pardoning of more than 250 rebels. This is further confirmed by Khartoum’s signing of the Roadmap and the willingness it has shown so far to negotiate with the non-signatory parties their association with the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).
Despite the commendable mediation efforts of President Thabo Mbeki, the Head of the AUHIP – which Italy supports – the non-signatory groups continue to delay. We renew our invitation to SLA-Abdul Wahid to abandon military means and to join the political process. And we renew our call to SLA-Minni Minnawi, JEM and SPLM-N to sign the Roadmap.
The time has come to assess the credibility of those who claim support for peace on the basis of their broad commitment to the pacification of Darfur through peaceful means and for achieving a political solution. The Government has also to persist in the approach it is taking. We hope that the implementation of the DDPD can be rapidly completed, which would send a clear signal in the right direction on the part of Khartoum, one that this Council could not ignore.
Second, the humanitarian and human rights situation. Despite progress made at the military level, peace continues to evade Darfur. The root causes of the instability have not been addressed yet. This scenario is not helped by the ongoing impediments that UNAMID has to face, despite recent, positive measures by the Sudanese Government.
Darfur suffers from a lack of development. In this regard Italy will continue to do its part, helping the Sudanese Government at the bilateral level as well as through programs of the EU and the UN.
But there are other areas where the Government is called upon to act without delay: inter-community conflicts; banditry; human rights violations, including gender-based violence and military use of schools; impunity and lack of accountability; attacks on internally-displaced persons, such as recent episodes at the Sorotony Camp in northern Darfur.
Italy condemns these crimes. There can be no solution to the problems that foment instability in Darfur without an inclusive, conciliatory, constant action led by the Sudanese Government.
In closing, Madam President, the strategic review of UNAMID. The recommendations that will be delivered to the Council by May will provide us with options to discuss the exit strategy of the mission.
Sudan has demonstrated a constructive spirit in breaking the impasse in the UN-African Union joint review process. We attach great value to the collaborative approach of the Sudan and its involvement in the exercise. We also thank the Secretary-General for his personal contribution in this regard.
While waiting to receive and carefully assess the recommendations, we take good note, with a spirit of openness, of the assessments made in the Secretary-General’s latest report. Improvements still need to be made in the political, humanitarian, security and rule-of-law areas, while progress has been achieved in meeting the benchmarks for a future phased drawdown of the mission.
Thank you, Madam President.
