UN Security Council extends mandate of sanctions experts on Sudan for two months

New York, September 11 (KUNA) -- The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution today, Friday, extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts on the sanctions regime related to the Darfur conflict in Sudan for two months, until November 9. Resolution 2828 reaffirmed that the situation in Sudan continues to pose a threat to international peace and security, while the extension was technical in nature, without altering the scope of the Panel’s mandate or the existing sanctions regime. The resolution’s adoption followed negotiations within the Council regarding proposals to expand the current arms embargo on Darfur to cover all of Sudan’s territory, before members agreed on a short-term technical extension.

Following the adoption, Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Al-Harith Idris, expressed gratitude to countries that supported his country’s position opposing the expansion of the arms embargo to all of Sudan, and which insisted on limiting the action to a technical extension of Resolution 1591. Idris emphasized Sudan’s “strong” opposition to any attempts to expand the sanctions imposed under Resolution 1591, arguing that expanding the arms embargo would restrict Sudan’s ability to defend its sovereignty. He added that the Sudanese Armed Forces and integrated forces “are fighting to repel aggression against Sudan,” affirming his country’s right to obtain the necessary resources to protect and defend its sovereignty.

The Security Council established the Panel of Experts on Sudan under Resolution 1591, issued on March 29, 2005. (End)