The #UNSC session on @unamidnews is about to start!

@ralphforce1 and I have written preview pieces

I'll also live-tweet some of the key statements from the meeting. Follow along here! https://twitter.com/ipinstGO/status/1253700402832384002

@Lacroix_UN notes that some progress has been made on the Sudan peace process and implementation of critical reforms. He nonetheless notes the transition's "fragile trajectory" and that #COVID19 has impacted both the negotiations and @unamidnews activities

@UNPeacekeeping chief assesses that the situation in Darfur has not fundamentally changed since October, but human rights abuses and inter-communal violence remain prevalent.

@Lacroix_UN highlights how Sudan government's responses to #COVID19 has limited @unamidnews abilities to undertake some protection and community engagement activities. But crucially that the mission is adapting, including through SLF support to pandemic response

@Lacroix_UN crucially states that the 31 Oct 2020 deadline for the mission's close is now unfeasible. "This was an ambitious timeframe to begin with, but the existing drawdown plan is now unrealistic". The drawdown period must be extended for several months beyond Oct 31

The mission's capacities to protect civilians will gradually diminish as @unamidnews closes down bases throughout the drawdown

The mandate, priorities, resources, logistics of the new follow-on presence will need to be closely coordinated with @unamidnews exit says @Lacroix_UN

@Lacroix_UN: The mandate of the follow-on presence will need to have the full support of the Sudanese authorities. Consent is a key aspect of our partnership with them in the future. Need clearly defined objectives and adequately resourced tools

@DicarloRosemary underscores that growing humanitarian needs in Sudan are driven by the country's structural economic challenges. She reiterates @SudanPMHamdok warning that the transition could collapse without immediate economic support

@UNDPPA chief outlines the objectives of the follow on mission, driven by support to UN's transition. Specific objectives on support to the governance transition, the peace process, peacebuilding efforts, and mobilizing support for economic recovery

@DicarloRosemary carefully dances around the 'protection' question, framing it as a @UN priority and that it will be incorporated into all of the mission's activities and that the @UN will need to support the Sudanese government in meeting its protection responsibilities

@UNDPPA and @UNPeacekeeping are leading a multi-disciplinary interdepartmental planning exercise for the follow-on mission, which has already begun work from NYC, Addis, Khartoum and Zalingei. @AU_PSD is invited to participate. They will travel to Sudan as soon as possible

@UKUN_NewYork (co-penholder) notes the comprehensive commitments of all stakeholders to the Juba Peace Talks, but urges all parties to engage without preconditions and swiftly reach an agreement. They also reiterate that intercommunal violence and protection challenges persist

@UKUN_NewYork emphasizes importance of capacity building training and mentoring of Sudanese police forces, and that new mission should be a partner to the Sudanese government on POC

@UKUN_NewYork asks @Lacroix_UN about additional protection needs for the follow on mission and what levels of deployment would be necessary for the @UN own needs assessment in Darfur

@GermanyUN notes the importance of agreement on ending @unamidnews and transitioning to new UN mission. Encouraged by active @SudanPMHamdok inputs into the design of this new mission. Main task for UNSC is to "get this transformation right"

@GermanyUN (co-penholder) encourages support to Sudan's political transformation, notes the Council's "very specific responsibility to the people of Darfur". Notes to @DicarloRosemary and @Lacroix_UN that "protection must be at the center of your planning"

@SAMissionNY (joint A3+1 (SVG) statement) empahsizes immense contributions and importance of @UN @_AfricanUnion partnership on @unamidnews and on Sudan's transition

Reiterates call from #AUPSC that the Gov of Sudan, @UN and @_AfricanUnion develop a joint drawdown roadmap for the mission, in order to safeguard gains to date and sustain progress in the peace process

@SAMissionNY reiterates importance of supporting the transition, emphasizes #AUPSC call for lifting of all economic sanctions on Sudan, notes multiple hotspots in Darfur and distrbuted about violence against most vulnerable groups

On withdrawal and follow-on mechanism, A3+1 support Sudan's call for Chapter VI mission, and that the follow on mission must be fully aligned with Sudanese government's objectives, need to ensure continued UN-AU collaboration

@SAMissionNY asks questions on behalf of A3+1, includingwhether drawdown timeline can be extended, and whether the proposed follow-on presence would have the necessary POC capacities if the situation deteriorated in Darfur

@indonesiaunny highlights many common points with A3+1, emphasizes initial remarks on the urgency of economic support in light of #COVID19 pandemic, and asks UNSC to consider utility of existing 1591 sanctions regime

Sustaining the gains made in Darfur is critical, notes @indonesiaunny, and the drawdown plans must ensure that national ownership remains integral to the follow-on configuration. Also clear that #UNSC needs to mandate a safe, smooth and responsible drawdown

@indonesiaunny Limited number of peacekeepers might still relevant for the follow-on configuration to support peacebuilding and protection issues

@RussiaUN remains convinced that the phased withdrawal of @unamidnews should continue as mandated in existing #UNSC resolutions, and that Darfur now confronts peacebuilding and not peacekeeping challenges

@RussiaUN believes that SPM should support Khartoum where the government requests it, and that protection should be left to Sudanese authorities. International community should help the Gov build up national capabilities. Also says that #UNSC should not bypass @_AfricanUnion

@BelgiumUN observes that progress on peace talks justify cautious optimism, but emphasizes that continued violence against IDPs, women and children demonstrates just how fragile this progress is

@BelgiumUN highlights how fragility in Darfur will continue so long as the root causes of conflict remain unaddressed. States unequivocally that POC must be incorporated beyond just advisory capacities into the follow-on mission's mandate

@franceonu expresses concern about impact of #COVID19 on Sudan's transition, which was already defined by many complexities. It emphasizes the need for Sudna to have full access to all international support mechanisms in its engagements on #COVID19 response

Protection concerns are @franceonu's second concern. POC should remain one of the @UN's key priorities . But there are two cornerstones of hope a) stronger relations between Sudan and @UN; b) mobilization of @_AfricanUnion in the country, and we need a creative partnership

@EstoniaUN stresses the #UNSC's role in supporting Sudan through this historic crossroad. Welcomes the negotiating parties' adherence to @antonioguterres call for a global ceasefire. Wishes for a timely agreement for peace

@EstoniaUN wants the follow-on mission to address the hopes and concerns of the Sudanese people, including widespread intercommunal conflict and SGBV incidents. Need to ensure sufficient POC capacities, based on risk assessment, to help gov take on full responsibilities

@Chinamission2un agrees for the need to lift unilateral sanctions, for IFIs to be flexible on Sudanese debt in light of #COVID19 pandemic. For the follow-on presence, the #UNSC decision should be based on Sudanese views and decisions

@Chinamission2un stresses the importance of recognizing the role of the @_AfricanUnion and other regional organizations in Sudan's political transition

@USUN remains concerned about continued SGBV in Darfur and the incidents of violence that takes place.

Encourages the #UNSC to have a more informed understanding about the risks of protecting civilians in Darfur. Explicitly asks for @UN risk assessment for protection

@USUN acknowledges that the drawdown may not be possible by Oct 31 but should take place as soon as feasible, responsibly. Crucially, "we assess the need for a robust police mission" in the region, and that it addresses both security and political needs

I'm signing off, but @VietNam_UN, @DominicanRepUN, Sudanese Mission and the briefers will make additional interventions