Security Council resolution 1706 (2006) [on expansion of the mandate of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to support the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement]
Symbol: S/RES/1706(2006)
Date: 2006-08-31
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/61 [160] SUDAN--POLITICAL CONDITIONS
S/61 [159] UN MISSION IN THE SUDAN
Subjects: UN Mission in Sudan|UN Mission in Sudan > Terms of reference|African Union Mission in the Sudan|Sudan. Government of National Unity|AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur|Darfur Peace Agreement (2006)|N'Djamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement [between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Sudan Justice and Equality Movement] (2004). Protocols, etc., 2004 Nov. 9|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|PEACE AGREEMENTS|INTERNAL SECURITY|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|DARFUR (SUDAN)|SUDAN|RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCES|POLICE|MILITARY PERSONNEL|CONSULTATIONS|CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES|CAPACITY BUILDING|LOGISTICS|TRAINING PROGRAMMES|CEASEFIRES|TRUCE SUPERVISION|DEMILITARIZED ZONES|DISPLACED PERSONS|MILITARY DEMOBILIZATION|DISARMAMENT|SOCIAL INTEGRATION|HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING|FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT|REGIONAL SECURITY|SUDANESE REFUGEES|STAFF SECURITY
Votes in favour: 12
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 3
Voting record:
country: ARGENTINA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: abstention
country: CONGO
vote: yes
country: DENMARK
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GHANA
vote: yes
country: GREECE
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: PERU
vote: yes
country: QATAR
vote: abstention
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: abstention
country: SLOVAKIA
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                     S/RES/1706 (2006)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                31 August 2006




               Resolution 1706 (2006)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 5519th meeting, on
               31 August 2006

                    The Security Council,
                     Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in the Sudan, in
               particular resolutions 1679 (2006) of 16 May 2006, 1665 (2006) of 29 March 2006,
               1663 (2006) of 24 March 2006, 1593 (2005) of 31 March 2005, 1591 (2005) of
               29 March 2005, 1590 (2005) of 24 March 2005, 1574 (2004) of 19 November 2004,
               1564 (2004) of 18 September 2004 and 1556 (2004) of 30 July 2004 and the
               statements of its President concerning the Sudan,
                    Recalling also its previous resolutions 1325 (2000) on women, peace and
               security, 1502 (2003) on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations
               personnel, 1612 (2005) on children and armed conflict, and 1674 (2006) on the
               protection of civilians in armed conflict, which reaffirms inter alia the provisions of
               paragraphs 138 and 139 of the 2005 United Nations World Summit outcome
               document, as well as the report of its Mission to the Sudan and Chad from 4 to
               10 June 2006,
                     Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence,
               and territorial integrity of the Sudan, which would be unaffected by transition to a
               United Nations operation in Darfur, and to the cause of peace, expressing its
               determination to work with the Government of National Unity, in full respect of its
               sovereignty, to assist in tackling the various problems confronting the Sudan and
               that a United Nations operation in Darfur shall have, to the extent possible, a strong
               African participation and character,
                    Welcoming the efforts of the African Union to find a solution to the crisis in
               Darfur, including through the success of the African Union-led Inter-Sudanese Peace
               Talks on the Conflict in Darfur in Abuja, Nigeria, in particular the framework
               agreed between the parties for a resolution of the conflict in Darfur (the Darfur
               Peace Agreement), commending the efforts of the signatories to the Darfur Peace
               Agreement, expressing its belief that the Agreement provides a basis for sustained
               security in Darfur, reiterating its welcome of the statement of 9 May 2006 by the
               representative of the Sudan at the United Nations Security Council Special Session
               on Darfur of the Government of National Unity’s full commitment to implementing
               the Agreement, stressing the importance of launching, with the African Union, the
               Darfur-Darfur dialogue and consultation as soon as possible, and recognizing that

06-48464 (E)
*0648464*

S/RES/1706 (2006)


               international support for implementation of the Agreement is critically important to
               its success,
                     Commending the efforts of the African Union for the successful deployment of
               the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS), as well as the efforts of Member
               States and regional and international organizations that have assisted it in its
               deployment, and AMIS’ role in reducing large-scale organized violence in Darfur,
               recalling the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 10 March
               2006, and its decision of 27 June 2006 as outlined in paragraph 10 of its
               Communiqué that the African Union is ready to review the mandate of AMIS in the
               event that the ongoing consultations between the Government of National Unity and
               the United Nations conclude on an agreement for a transition to a United Nations
               peacekeeping operation, stressing the need for AMIS to assist implementation of the
               Darfur Peace Agreement until transition to the United Nations force in Darfur is
               completed, welcoming the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council
               of 27 June 2006 on strengthening AMIS’ mandate and tasks, including on the
               protection of civilians, and considering that AMIS needs urgent reinforcing,
                    Reaffirming its concern that the ongoing violence in Darfur might further
               negatively affect the rest of the Sudan as well as the region, in particular Chad and
               the Central African Republic, and stressing that regional security aspects must be
               addressed to achieve long lasting peace in Darfur,
                     Remaining deeply concerned over the recent deterioration of relations between
               the Sudan and Chad, calling on the Governments of the two countries to abide by
               their obligations under the Tripoli Agreement of 8 February 2006 and the agreement
               between the Sudan and Chad signed in N’djamena on 26 July 2006 and to begin
               implementing the confidence-building measures which they have voluntarily agreed
               upon, welcoming the recent re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the
               Sudan and Chad, and calling upon all States in the region to cooperate in ensuring
               regional stability,
                     Reiterating its strong condemnation of all violations of human rights and
               international humanitarian law in Darfur, and calling upon the Government of
               National Unity to take urgent action to tackle gender-based violence in Darfur
               including action towards implementing its Action Plan to Combat Violence Against
               Women in Darfur with particular focus on the rescission of Form 8 and access to
               legal redress,
                     Expressing its deep concern for the security of humanitarian aid workers and
               their access to populations in need, including refugees, internally displaced persons
               and other war-affected populations, and calling upon all parties, in particular the
               Government of National Unity, to ensure, in accordance with relevant provisions of
               international law, the full, safe and unhindered access of relief personnel to all those
               in need in Darfur as well as the delivery of humanitarian assistance, in particular to
               internally displaced persons and refugees,
                    Taking note of the communiqués of 12 January, 10 March, 15 May and 27 June
               2006 of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union regarding transition of
               AMIS to a United Nations operation,
                    Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on Darfur dated 28 July
               2006 (S/2006/591),



2                                                                                                         06-48464

                                                                                                 S/RES/1706 (2006)


                 Determining that the situation in the Sudan continues to constitute a threat to
           international peace and security,
                 1.   Decides, without prejudice to its existing mandate and operations as
           provided for in resolution 1590 (2005) and in order to support the early and
           effective implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement, that UNMIS’ mandate
           shall be expanded as specified in paragraphs 8, 9 and 12 below, that it shall deploy
           to Darfur, and therefore invites the consent of the Government of National Unity for
           this deployment, and urges Member States to provide the capability for an
           expeditious deployment;
                 2.   Requests the Secretary-General to arrange the rapid deployment of
           additional capabilities for UNMIS, in order that it may deploy in Darfur, in
           accordance with the recommendation contained in his report dated 28 July 2006;
                3.    Decides that UNMIS shall be strengthened by up to 17,300 military
           personnel and by an appropriate civilian component including up to 3,300 civilian
           police personnel and up to 16 Formed Police Units, and expresses its determination
           to keep UNMIS’ strength and structure under regular review, taking into account the
           evolution of the situation on the ground and without prejudice to its current
           operations and mandate as provided for in resolution 1590 (2005);
                4.   Expresses its intention to consider authorizing possible additional
           temporary reinforcements of the military component of UNMIS, at the request of
           the Secretary-General, within the limits of the troop levels recommended in
           paragraph 87 of his report dated 28 July 2006;
                 5.   Requests the Secretary-General to consult jointly with the African Union,
           in close and continuing consultation with the parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement,
           including the Government of National Unity, on a plan and timetable for transition
           from AMIS to a United Nations operation in Darfur; decides that those elements
           outlined in paragraphs 40 to 58 of the Secretary-General’s report of 28 July 2006
           shall begin to be deployed no later than 1 October 2006, that thereafter as part of the
           process of transition to a United Nations operation additional capabilities shall be
           deployed as soon as feasible and that UNMIS shall take over from AMIS
           responsibility for supporting the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement
           upon the expiration of AMIS’ mandate but in any event no later than 31 December
           2006;
                 6.   Notes that the Status of Forces Agreement for UNMIS with the Sudan, as
           outlined in resolution 1590 (2005), shall apply to UNMIS’ operations throughout the
           Sudan, including in Darfur;
                7.    Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to strengthen
           AMIS through the use of existing and additional United Nations resources with a
           view to transition to a United Nations operation in Darfur; and authorizes the
           Secretary-General during this transition to implement the longer-term support to
           AMIS outlined in the report of the Secretary-General of 28 July 2006, including
           provision of air assets, ground mobility package, training, engineering and logistics,
           mobile communications capacity and broad public information assistance;
                8.  Decides that the mandate of UNMIS in Darfur shall be to support
           implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement of 5 May 2006 and the N’djamena




06-48464                                                                                                        3

S/RES/1706 (2006)


               Agreement on Humanitarian Cease-fire on the Conflict in Darfur (“the
               Agreements”), including by performing the following tasks:
                    (a) To monitor and verify the implementation by the parties of Chapter 3
               (“Comprehensive Cease-fire and Final Security Arrangements”) of the Darfur Peace
               Agreement and the N’djamena Agreement on Humanitarian Cease-fire on the
               Conflict in Darfur;
                     (b) To observe and monitor movement of armed groups and redeployment of
               forces in areas of UNMIS deployment by ground and aerial means in accordance
               with the Agreements;
                     (c) To investigate violations of the Agreements and to report violations to the
               Cease-fire Commission; as well as to cooperate and coordinate, together with other
               International Actors, with the Cease-fire Commission, the Joint Commission, and
               the Joint Humanitarian Facilitation and Monitoring Unit established pursuant to the
               Agreements including through provision of technical assistance and logistical
               support;
                     (d) To maintain, in particular, a presence in key areas, such as buffer zones
               established pursuant to the Darfur Peace Agreement, areas inside internally
               displaced persons camps and demilitarized zones around and inside internally
               displaced persons camps, in order to promote the re-establishment of confidence, to
               discourage violence, in particular by deterring use of force;
                    (e) To monitor transborder activities of armed groups along the Sudanese
               borders with Chad and the Central African Republic in particular through regular
               ground and aerial reconnaissance activities;
                     (f) To assist with development and implementation of a comprehensive and
               sustainable programme for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former
               combatants and women and children associated with combatants, as called for in the
               Darfur Peace Agreement and in accordance with resolutions 1556 (2004) and 1564
               (2004);
                    (g) To assist the parties, in cooperation with other international actors, in the
               preparations for and conduct of referendums provided for in the Darfur Peace
               Agreement;
                    (h) To assist the parties to the Agreements in promoting understanding of the
               peace accord and of the role of UNMIS, including by means of an effective public
               information campaign, targeted at all sectors of society, in coordination with the
               African Union;
                    (i) To cooperate closely with the Chairperson of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue
               and Consultation (DDDC), provide support and technical assistance to him, and
               coordinate other United Nations agencies’ activities to this effect, as well as to assist
               the parties to the DDDC in addressing the need for an all-inclusive approach,
               including the role of women, towards reconciliation and peacebuilding;
                     (j) To assist the parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement, in coordination with
               bilateral and multilateral assistance programmes, in restructuring the police service
               in the Sudan, consistent with democratic policing, to develop a police training and
               evaluation programme, and to otherwise assist in the training of civilian police;




4                                                                                                          06-48464

                                                                                               S/RES/1706 (2006)


                 (k) To assist the parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement in promoting the rule
           of law, including an independent judiciary, and the protection of human rights of all
           people of the Sudan through a comprehensive and coordinated strategy with the aim
           of combating impunity and contributing to long-term peace and stability and to
           assist the parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement to develop and consolidate the
           national legal framework;
                 (l) To ensure an adequate human rights and gender presence, capacity and
           expertise within UNMIS to carry out human rights promotion, civilian protection
           and monitoring activities that include particular attention to the needs of women and
           children;
                 9.   Decides further that the mandate of UNMIS in Darfur shall also include
           the following:
                 (a) To facilitate and coordinate in close cooperation with relevant United
           Nations agencies, within its capabilities and in its areas of deployment, the
           voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and humanitarian
           assistance inter alia by helping to establish the necessary security conditions in
           Darfur;
                (b) To contribute towards international efforts to protect, promote and
           monitor human rights in Darfur, as well as to coordinate international efforts
           towards the protection of civilians with particular attention to vulnerable groups
           including internally displaced persons, returning refugees, and women and children;
                 (c) To assist the parties to the Agreements, in cooperation with other
           international partners in the mine action sector, by providing humanitarian demining
           assistance, technical advice, and coordination, as well as mine awareness
           programmes targeted at all sectors of society;
                 (d) To assist in addressing regional security issues in close liaison with
           international efforts to improve the security situation in the neighbouring regions
           along the borders between the Sudan and Chad and between the Sudan and the
           Central African Republic, including through the establishment of a
           multidimensional presence consisting of political, humanitarian, military and
           civilian police liaison officers in key locations in Chad, including in internally
           displaced persons and refugee camps, and if necessary, in the Central African
           Republic, and to contribute to the implementation of the Agreement between the
           Sudan and Chad signed on 26 July 2006;
                 10. Calls upon all Member States to ensure the free, unhindered and
           expeditious movement to the Sudan of all personnel, as well as equipment,
           provisions, supplies and other goods, including vehicles and spare parts, which are
           for the exclusive and official use of UNMIS in Darfur;
                 11. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council regularly informed of
           the progress in implementing the Darfur Peace Agreement, respect for the ceasefire,
           and the implementation of the mandate of UNMIS in Darfur, and to report to the
           Council, as appropriate, on the steps taken to implement this resolution and any
           failure to comply with its demands;




06-48464                                                                                                      5

S/RES/1706 (2006)


                     12.   Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations:
                     (a) Decides that UNMIS is authorized to use all necessary means, in the
               areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities:
                    – to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, to
                      ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel,
                      humanitarian workers, assessment and evaluation commission personnel, to
                      prevent disruption of the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement by
                      armed groups, without prejudice to the responsibility of the Government of the
                      Sudan, to protect civilians under threat of physical violence,
                    – in order to support early and effective implementation of the Darfur Peace
                      Agreement, to prevent attacks and threats against civilians,
                    – to seize or collect, as appropriate, arms or related material whose presence in
                      Darfur is in violation of the Agreements and the measures imposed by
                      paragraphs 7 and 8 of resolution 1556, and to dispose of such arms and related
                      material as appropriate;
                    (b) Requests that the Secretary-General and the Governments of Chad and
               the Central African Republic conclude status-of-forces agreements as soon as
               possible, taking into consideration General Assembly resolution 58/82 on the scope
               of legal protection under the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and
               Associated Personnel, and decides that pending the conclusion of such an agreement
               with either country, the model status-of-forces agreement dated 9 October 1990
               (A/45/594) shall apply provisionally with respect to UNMIS forces operating in that
               country;
                     13. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council on the protection
               of civilians in refugee and internally displaced persons camps in Chad and on how
               to improve the security situation on the Chadian side of the border with Sudan;
                     14. Calls upon the parties to the Darfur Peace Agreement to respect their
               commitments and implement the Agreement without delay, urges those parties that
               have not signed the Agreement to do so without delay and not to act in any way that
               would impede implementation of the Agreement, and reiterates its intention to take,
               including in response to a request by the African Union, strong and effective
               measures, such as an asset freeze or travel ban, against any individual or group that
               violates or attempts to block the implementation of the Agreement or commits
               human rights violations;
                     15.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.




6                                                                                                        06-48464