The African Union Liaison Office in Sudan, the Office of the Special Envoy of League of Arab States for Sudan, and the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Sudan and South Sudan jointly present their compliments to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (North) and have the honour to submit a Joint AU/LAS/UN Proposal for Access to Provide and Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to War-Affected Civilians in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.  Please find attached herewith the above mentioned proposal.

 

SIGNED:

 

For the AU: Mohammed Kane – 09/02/12  [February 9, 2012]

 

For the LAS: Salah Halima – 09/02/12  [February 9, 2012]

 

For the UN: Haile Menkerios – 09/02/12  [February 9, 2012]

 

For the SPLA/M-North: “We confirm acceptance of the AU, LAS, UN proposals; [name illegible] on behalf of SPLM/A-N.”

 

 

 

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The African Union, the League of Arab States, and the United Nations emphasize the following principles:

 

Finding a permanent political solution to the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, with full respect for the sovereignty of Sudan, remains a prerequisite to end the humanitarian crisis in those two states;

 

There is a need to ensure, in the meantime, that all civilians affected by the conflict have access to the necessary humanitarian assistance as a matter of the utmost urgency;

 

Due to the fact that both parties to the conflict have obligations under international humanitarian law, it is therefore in the interest of both parties to the conflict to permit and actively facilitate humanitarian access in order to prevent the conditions of the affected civilians from deteriorating into a crisis of much larger proportions;

 

There is an urgent need to help reduce tensions, stabilize the situation, and assist in the safe and voluntary returns of displaced populations and move rapidly from emergency relief to a focus on reconciliation, early recovery, and development in South Kordofan and Blue Nile;

 

The African Union, the League of Arab States and the United Nations jointly commit to supporting the Government of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) in addressing the humanitarian needs of all conflict-affected populations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, in accordance with humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, accountability, and transparency.

 

The Proposal

 

In this context, the AU, LAS, and UN propose the following steps:

 

[1]  The GOS and the SPLM-N in South Kordofan and Blue Nile should be encouraged to immediately identify clear points of contact for the purpose of establishing modalities for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to war affected civilians in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states;

 

[2]  A Joint Humanitarian Oversight Committee to be established immediately to oversee the implementation of the humanitarian operation in South Kordofan andBlue Nile.  The Committee will comprise civilian representatives of the GOS, the SPLM-N, the AU, LAS, and UN. The roles and responsibilities of the Committee and other details related to the functioning of the Committee to be defined when the Committee is established. Any delay in the establishment of the Committee should not prevent the commencement of humanitarian operations as put forward in this proposal.

 

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[3]  The AU, LAS, and UN to put together joint teams to carry out a rapid humanitarian assessment mission in all areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, where there have been reports of significant humanitarian needs; these teams will work closely with representatives of the GOS, as well as with the SPLM-N as needed.

 

[4] The AU, LAS and UN will complement existing efforts in South Kordofan andBlue Nileby organizing the delivery of essential humanitarian supplies for the most vulnerable people.  Deliveries will be either by road or by air (helicopter or fixed-wing planes) depending on needs, security, and logistical considerations.  Humanitarian assistance will be provided at a scale and pace that meets the most urgent needs and that can be carefully monitored to prevent any abuse.  WFP will be the logistics service provider on behalf of the three partners under this proposal.

 

[5]  As per existing Government procedures, all movement of humanitarian staff and cargo will be coordinated with the Government of Sudan Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), and humanitarian operations will be carried out in full respect of international humanitarian principles.

 

[6]  Verification of humanitarian cargo by air and road will be conducted by relevant Government authorities at departure and transit points according to jointly agreed procedures, to be determined without delay.

 

[7]  Monitors from the AU, LAS, and UN will be present to observe the distribution of humanitarian relief to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches its intended beneficiaries.

 

[8]  Once initial assessments have been conducted and humanitarian activities have commenced, qualified representatives of the AU, LAS, and UN will follow up and monitor use of assistance delivered and access any changes in humanitarian needs.

 

[9]  Reports on monitoring carried out by the AU, LAS, and UN and updates on the humanitarian situation will be shared regularly.  The Joint Humanitarian Oversight Committee will serve as a conduit and discussion forum for the joint reports.

 

[10]  The GOS and SPLM-N remain responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all humanitarian staff and observers, as well as all humanitarian assets, supplies and facilities.

 

SIGNED:

 

For the AU: Mohammed Kane – 09/02/12  [February 9, 2012]

 

For the LAS: Salah Halima – 09/02/12  [February 9, 2012]

 

For the UN: Haile Menkerios – 09/02/12  [February 9, 2012]

 

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