"The tragic situation in Darfur is one of the greatest challenges that the international community faces. But I believe that working together we can and will improve the lives of the people of Darfur. And we will continue working until their suffering is brought to an end."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown

The UK is working at the UN to help bring an end to a conflict that has claimed around 200,000 lives, seen around two million people lose their homes and livelihoods, and resulted in as many as four million people being in need of food aid.

UK objectives for Sudan:

• Progress on implementing the North-South peace agreement;
• A sustainable cessation of hostilities in Darfur involving all parties;
• Successful outcome to the UN/AU-chaired Darfur political negotiations;
• Effective deployment of the world's biggest peacekeeping operation (United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur - UNAMID) with a robust mandate, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, to protect civilians;
• An effective UN force across the border in Chad and CAR to protect civilians who have fled from Darfur.

Most recent

On 31 July, the Security Council extended UNAMID's mandate for a year and called for the rapid deployment of force enablers, including engineer, logistic, medical and signal units, and of additional troops, police and civilian personnel including contractors.

On 14 July, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced that he had requested an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Bashir for committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.

Background

Since February 2003, the Government of Sudan has engaged in a campaign in the western Darfur region of the country against rebel movements, which oppose the Khartoum Government in wanting a more independent Darfur. The six-year crisis (which continued attacks from both the Government of Sudan and the rebel movements are prolonging) in Darfur has seen appalling human rights violations and a worsening humanitarian and security situation.

The United Nations and African Union have appointed a Joint Special Envoy to promote a new inclusive political process and to negotiate a cease-fire so that a lasting peace settlement in Darfur can be secured. The UK wants to see all the parties to the conflict attend peace talks arranged by Mr Bassole and to urgently implement a cessation of hostilities.

On 31 July 2007, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1769

(drafted by the UK) which mandates the deployment of a joint UN/AU 26,000-strong peacekeeping operation in Darfur, with a robust mandate, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, to protect civilians. The force took over from AU troops on 1 January 2008, but still lacks critical capabilities, notably helicopters.

Violence is also increasing in eastern Chad and the north-eastern Central African Republic as the conflict in Darfur spills-over Sudan's borders. Sudan is supporting Chadian rebels and Chad is supporting Sudanese rebels. To help protect internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees in Chad and CAR and facilitate humanitarian access, the UN Security Council has mandated the deployment of an UN force (MINURCAT) in Eastern Chad.

The UK is also working to support the implementation of the North South peace agreement.  UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1812, extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Southern Sudan (UNMIS) until 30 April 2009, as well as calling for faster implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

In 2005, the Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court for investigation.  In March 2009, following an application from the Court's Prosecutor, the ICC indicted President Bashir for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.  The Security Council recently reiterated its call for Sudan to co-operate with the ICC.