The Security Council this morning renewed the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for 12 months while demanding that the parties to the conflict in the region immediately end the fighting as well as attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1935 (2010), the Council extended the mandate until 31 July 2011 as originally formulated — with an authorized military strength of 19,555 plus police and civilian personnel — but requested UNAMID to develop, with the United Nations country team, a strategy to fully achieve its objective of protecting civilians and ensuring access to them by humanitarian workers. It stressed the importance of setting realistic targets against which the mission’s progress could be measured.

Expressing deep concern at the recent deterioration in security, including attacks by rebel groups, aerial bombardment by the Government of Sudan, increased inter-tribal fighting and attacks on humanitarian personnel, the Council demanded that all parties comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, calling on them to commit themselves to a sustained and permanent ceasefire. [Read More]