Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan - Resolutions - Jan 2014

1. Resolution on the situation in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile State
We, the participants at the 3rd Civil Society Forum on Sudan and South Sudan held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 20th-22nd January 2014, within the context of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of ######### of State and Government.
Considering the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), the Charter of the United Nations (UN) as well as those of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments to which Sudan is a State party, and as such , Sudan is legally bound to fully and effectively implement their provisions, and respect and promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms set therein without discrimination on any ground;
Deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation, insecurity, violence and massive violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms being committed in South and West Kordofan and the Blue Nile states;
Outraged at the continuing reports of grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in these three states, including indiscriminate aerial bombardment in civilian areas and massive displacement of civilian populations, #####ng of homes and destruction of property, arbitrary arrests and illegal detention of perceived political opponents, torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances of civilians, especially those belonging to the indigenous Nuba and Ingasana ethnic groups in these regions;
Deploring the unwillingness of the Government of Sudan to allow UN agencies and independent international relief organizations and humanitarian workers access to the war- affected populations thus putting the lives of a growing number of civilians in these three States, especially women and children, at high risk;
Welcoming efforts of the AU to address the situation in South and West Kordofan and the Blue Nile States and recalling in this regard Communiqueand#769; PSC/MIN/COMM/3.(CCCXIX) adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council on 24 April 2012, as endorsed by UNSC Resolution2046/2012; and that the two
d e c i s i o n s provided a comprehensive approach which, inter alia, set out specific timetable for the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- North (SPLM-N) to reach a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict in those regions;
Noting that Communiqueand#769; PSC/MIN/COMM/3.(CCCXIX) called on the Government of Sudan to accept and implement the Tripartite Proposal as submitted by the AU, the UN and the League of Arab States, to permit humanitarian access to the population in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile States and to date the Government of Sudan refused to authorize the implementation of the tripartite proposal; and
Fully convinced that lasting and sustainable peace and stability in Sudan as well as a durable end to armed conflicts and political unrest in the country necessitate comprehensive solutions through just and negotiated political settlements that address the root causes of such conflicts in all parts of the country.
We call upon the 22nd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of ######### of State and Government to:
1. Insist on the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2046, bearing in mind the AU’s special responsibility under Article 6 of that Resolution and remind the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) that failure of either party to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2046 may result in the Council taking mandatory measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter.
2. Stress the need for free access to the population in need in the armed conflicted- affected areas of Sudan and ensure the protection of humanitarian workers, their properties, and the opening of safe humanitarian corridors to facilitate inflow of relief material.
3. Condemn aerial bombardment of civilian targets in the armed conflict-affected areas and call on the AU and the UN to take the necessary measures to ensure that the government of Sudan ceases such attacks and allow civilians the freedom of movement notably, to access market places outside the SPLM-N held areas.
4. Recognize and acknowledge the plight of the internally displaced persons within South and West Kordofan and Blue Nile States, who are not currently recognised by the government of Sudan or the international community or receiving any support. We urge the UN and international humanitarian community to provide the necessary assistance to these people.
5. Ensure implementation of the Tripartite Agreement without delay; and fully adhere to UN Resolution 2046, in particular by allowing unhindered access to civilians in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States and facilitate vaccinations and immunizations campaigns of children against deadly diseases, and which are currently pending.
Done at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 22nd January 2014

Arabic Forum