(1)

On 5 July 2006, the Council adopted Joint Action 2006/468/CFSP renewing and revising the mandate of the Special Representative of the European Union for Sudan (1).

(2)

The European Union has been actively involved at diplomatic and political level since the beginnings of the international efforts to contain and resolve the Darfur crisis.

(3)

The Union wishes to strengthen its political role in a crisis with a multitude of local, regional and international actors and to maintain coherence between the Union's assistance to the crisis management in Darfur, led by the African Union (AU), on the one hand, and overall political relations with Sudan, including implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), on the other.

(4)

On 5 May 2006, the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) was concluded in Abuja by the Government of Sudan and individual rebel factions. The Union will support efforts to broaden support for the DPA among rebel groups as a crucial element of an all-inclusive political process, which remains the precondition for lasting peace and security and an end to the suffering of millions of the people in Darfur. The functions of the Special Representative of the European Union (EUSR) should take full account of the role of the Union as regards the implementation of the DPA, including in relation to the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation process.

(5)

The Union has provided a significant amount of assistance to the AU Mission in the Darfur region of Sudan (AMIS) in terms of planning and management support, funding and logistics.

(6)

On 31 March 2005, the United Nations (UN) Security Council, informed by the report of the International Commission of Inquiry on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in Darfur, adopted Resolution 1593 (2005) which refers the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court.

(7)

On 31 August 2006, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1706 (2006), which mandates the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to intensify its engagement in Darfur as well to take steps, in consultation with the AU, to strengthen the African Union mission in the Darfur (AMIS) through the use of UN resources. With a view to implementing this decision, the UN, the AU and the Sudanese government met for a High Level Consultation in Addis Ababa on 16 November 2006. The parties agreed on a three-phased approach of UN support for AMIS leading to an eventual hybrid AU-UN Force.

(8)

The AU Peace and Security Council, while endorsing the conclusions of the Addis Ababa Consultation, decided to extend the mandate of AMIS for a period of 6 months until 30 June 2007, subject to review by the AU and based on the availability of financial resources. On 15 December 2006, the European Council agreed to extend the European Union civilian-military supporting action to AMIS. Commensurate political engagement with the AU, the UN and the Government of Sudan, and specific coordination capacity, therefore continues to be required.

(9)

On 19 December 2006, the UN Secretary-General appointed a Special Envoy for Darfur.

(10)

The permanent presence in Khartoum allows for a continuation of the contacts of the EUSR with the Government of Sudan, the Sudanese political parties, the AMIS Mission Headquarter, the United Nations and its agencies, and diplomatic missions, as well as a participation in the activities of the Assessment and Evaluation Committees established to oversee the implementation of CPA and DPA respectively and closer monitoring of the situation in Eastern Sudan after the conclusion of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA). Similarly, a presence in Juba would allow for maintaining closer and more regular contacts with the Government of Southern Sudan and the SPLM, as well as following the situation in Southern Sudan more closely.

(11)

On 7 June 2006, the Council approved the policy of the European Union on the security of personnel deployed outside the European Union in an operational capacity under Title V of the Treaty on European Union.

(12)

On the basis of a review of Joint Action 2006/468/CFSP, the mandate of the EUSR for Sudan should, in principle, be extended for a period of 12 months.

(13)

Mr Pekka HAAVISTO has informed the Secretary-General/High Representative of his intention to resign at the end of April 2007. His mandate should thus be extended until 30 April 2007. The Council intends to appoint a new EUSR for the remaining period of the mandate.

(14)

The EUSR will implement his mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could harm the Common Foreign and Security Policy objectives set out in Article 11 of the Treaty,

(a)

efforts, as part of the international community and in support of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), to assist the Sudanese parties, the AU and the UN to achieve a political settlement of the conflict in Darfur, including through the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and to facilitate the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and promote South-South dialogue, as well as facilitating the implementation of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA), with due regard to the regional ramifications of these issues and to the principle of African ownership; and

(b)

ensuring maximum effectiveness and visibility of the Union's contribution to the AU mission in the Darfur region of Sudan (AMIS).