PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
397TH MEETINGAT THE LEVEL OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT
NEW YORK, 23 SEPTEMBER 2013
PSC/AHG/4.(CCCXCVII)
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE AFRICAN UNION HIGH-LEVEL IMPLEMENTATION PANEL FOR SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES
I. INTRODUCTION
- This report is submitted in pursuance of communiqué PSC/MIN/COMM.1 (CCCLXXXVII) Rev.1 on the situation between Sudan and South Sudan adopted by Council at its 387th meeting held on 29 July 2013. The report provides an update on the steps taken during the period under review to follow-up on the relevant provisions of the communiqué under reference. It concludes with observations on the way forward.
II. FOLLOW-UP TO THE LETTER OF THE CHAIR OF THE AUHIP OF 9 JUNE 2013
In its Communiqué PSC/MIN/COMM.1(CCCLXXXVII) Rev.1, Council welcomed the proposals made by the Chair of the African Union High-Level Panel on Sudan and South Sudan (AUHIP) in his letter of 9 June 2013 to the Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan to address the stalemate then characterizing the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement of 27 September 2012. More specifically, the Chair of the AUHIP proposed the establishment by the Chairperson of the Commission and the Chair of the InterGovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) of an Ad Hoc Investigation Mechanism (AIM) into the allegations of harbouring and support to armed rebel groups acting against the other State, as well as the establishment by the Commission of an AU Border Programme Technical Team (AUBP-TT) to determine conclusively the centre line of the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SD-BZ). Council further welcomed the acceptance by both countries of these mechanisms.
Since its establishment, the AIM has visited Sudan on three occasions, from 23 to 25 July 2013, 17 to 18 August and on 15 September. The AIM also visited South Sudan on three occasions, from 26 to 27 July, 12 to 17 August, and from 29 August to 5 September 2013. During these visits, the AIM held extensive consultations with officials from both sides. Both countries have provided the AIM with their allegations in writing, including supporting evidence. The AIM has also interacted with rebels and former rebels from both States, as well as with representatives of the international community and other stakeholders. The AIM also conducted on-site visits to locations in South Sudan mentioned in the allegations submitted by both states, namely Bentiu, Yida, Malakal, Renk and Raja. The AIM is currently in the process of completing its report which shall be submitted to the Chairpersons of IGAD and the Chairperson of the Commission.
Both states have acknowledged the positive impact that the AIM has had on their security relations. In this context, we are pleased to note the positive steps taken by the Parties to address bilaterally the matter of support to, and harbouring of, rebels against the other State. The Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM), on 23 April 2013, established a Joint Security Committee(JSC), a mechanism headed by the Chiefs of Intelligence of Sudan and South Sudan. This mechanism has met twice in the last six weeks: on 30 and 31 July in Juba, and from 20 to 22 August in Khartoum, to address this issue. The reactivation of the JSC has facilitated discussions on the allegations made by both Parties.