PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
207TH MEETING AT THE LEVEL OF THE
HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT
29 OCTOBER 2009
ABUJA, NIGERIA
PSC/AHG/2(CCVII)
INTRODUCTORY NOTE BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION
I wish to recall that, in line with the decision adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) at its 142nd meeting held on 21 July 2008, calling for the formation of an AU High–Level Panel on Darfur (AUPD), I appointed several eminent African personalities as members of the AUPD. The PSC decision was subsequently endorsed by the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union held from 1 to 3 February 2009.
The AUPD, which is chaired by former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, was mandated to examine the situation in Darfur in–depth and submit recommendations on how best to effectively and comprehensively address the issues of accountability and combating impunity, on the one hand, and peace, healing and reconciliation, on the other. In this context, the AUPD convened its inaugural meeting in Addis Ababa on 18 and 19 March 2009. This inaugural meeting was followed by wide consultations with both the Sudanese and international stakeholders.
The Panel completed its work early this month and formally submitted its report to me on 8 October 2009.
The Commission fully associates itself with the recommendations contained in the report and believes that they provide a clear roadmap on how best the interrelated issues of peace, justice, reconciliation and healing could be addressed in Darfur, thereby contributing to the overall objective of promoting sustainable peace and stability in the Sudan. It is my earnest hope that the PSC will seize the opportunity of the consideration of the report to further enhance Africa's leadership in guiding the International community's efforts to help Sudan and the Sudanese people attain peace, security, reconciliation and justice.
