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AFRICAN GROUP STATEMENT

ON AGENDA ITEM 151: FINANCING oF THE LII\IITED NATIONS MISSION IN THE SUDAN (UNMIS)

PRESENTED

BY

MS. NONYE UDO AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE NEW YORK, l2rH JUNE, 2006

Mr. Chairman, I have the honour to speaktoday on behalf of the African Group on agendaitem I 5 I : Financing of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). At the outsei, the Group expressesits appreciationto the team of the Secretary-General that worked tirelessly to preparean improved budget document for our consideration. To this end, we thank Mi. Warren Sach, iudget Controller, for his introduction of the Secretary-General's reports on TINMIS contained in documents N601626, N601726 & Corrigendum I and Mr. Rajat Saha,Chairmanof the Advisory Committee for Administrative and Budgetary Questionsfor his introduction of his Committee's related report, N601868. It was only a few months ago, on the 1't of November 2005 that this Committeewas able, for the first time, to consider a full budget for the Mission in Sudan,following the earlier commitment authority granted for the take-off of the mission. In the course of our considerationof the first full budget for UNMIS, the General Assembly welcomed the review undertaken the by mission on the proposed structure and requestedthe Secretary-General take further stepsto elaborate to on the management efficiencies achieved, as well as on the strengthened monitoring and accountability system in the context of an unified, area-based and decentralizedorganizational structure,bearingin mind the commentsmadeby the Advisory Committee in its report. Further, the Commiffee called on the Secretary-General also take action and intensifu to efforts to ensure coordination and collaboration of efforts with all United Nations agencies in Sudan and presenta descriptionof their respectiveroles and responsibilitiesin this currlnt budgetdocument. In the same vein, we mandated the Secretary-Generalto undertake disarmament, demobilization and reintegration activities and welcomed the use of Entebbe installation io enhance the efficiency and responsiveness its logistical supportoperationsfor peacekeeping of missionsin the region. We are aware that the budget document before us today was prepared barely three months after the adoption of General Assembly resolution 60ll2i, and as such it was too early for the Secretariatto reflect the broad and extensive picture that would have encompassed that all Member Stateshad requested. While appreciatingthe efforts made to present u -or" detailed budget this secondtime around, we would howevei appreciatereceiving an initial assessment of the extent to which the guidelinesof the GeneralAssembly could be imp'iemented even within the f imited time befweenthe requestand the conclusionof the 2006/2007 budget,including the initial difficulties encounteredif any, in this regard. we would also requesl that these efforts be sustainedand that the Assembly be kept fully informed of developments in the Mission in subsequent reports. The African Group wishesto pay tribute to all thosewho contributedto the success the African of Union-led Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks, held in Abuja, which has afforded the opportunity to establish a framework for a resolution of the confllct in Darfur. We are also cognizant that Security council in its resolution 1679 (2006) of l6th May 2006 commended the efforts of the African Union for the successfuldeploymentof the Africun Union Mission in the Sgdan(AMIS), despiteexceptionallydiflicult circumstances, and AMIS's role in reducing large-scale organized violencein Darfur. on our part, we join the Security Council in commendingthe efforts deployedby Member States, regional and international organizationsto assist AMIS in this venture. we hope that we can

continue to count on Member States' unflinching support, as it is only through our concerted effort that we can succeedin this crucial endeavour. Further, the Group wishes to express its satisfaction with the latest development in Darfur where the factions that earlier in May did not sign the Darfur PeaceAccord, have now signed a pledge to abide by its principles. There is every reason for the Mission to seize this window of opporfunity to intensifo efforts that would provide a solid basis for the people of Sudan and a fighting chance they need to be able to begin anew, the journey of rebuilding their country to be a great nation that it is designed to be. Its sheer size and geography present a daunting chailenge to those who are charged with the responsibility of managing this iomplex Mission. These and other vital facts would guide the African Group's consideration of the Secretary-General,sbudget submission. The Group is pleased to re-echo the sentiments expressed by both the Advisory Committee and the delegation of Australia on behalf of the CANZ Group in welcoming the remarkable progress recorded in this budget presentation. As this is the second budget, for the second'yeir of implementation of the UNMIS mandate, we are confident that subsequentpresentationswould be even further enhanced and reflect lessons learned fiom the astumplions made for this budget. The results-based budgeting framework should be further enhanced to facilitate efforts in this regard. The African Group has examined the various components of the proposed budget and would like to make a few preliminary comments. It is commendablethat from the last peri-od,there was only an unencumberedbalanceof $3.2 million or l.4Yo of the appropriation,*hi"h shows that there was no overbudgetting. However, we would appreciate receiving an update on the status of payments to Member Statesin respect of troop reimbursementsand contingent-owed equipment. On the 2006-2007 proposed budget of $ 1,081, 659,300, there is an ll.6yo increaseover the $969-5 million appropriated for the 2005/2006 budget. Further, cognisant that both the African Union and the Security Council have recognized the need for concrete steps to be taken to effect the transition from AMIS to a United Nations operation and that to thii end not only has the United Nations already sent a technical assessment team to Darfug but there is a possibility that the costs for the financing of I-INMIS for July 2006 to J:urrre 2007 might be reviewed, we reiterate the Advisory Committee's commentsthat any such revised estimatei should be submitted to the Assembly as quickly as possible. Meanwhile' we would- appreciate a preliminary analysis of the impact of the Advisory Committee's recommendations the already submittedbudgetproposal.There on is an urgentneed to ensure that at this crucial stage, no impediment be placeJ on tn" Mission as it proceedswith full deployment.Consequently,what extra_efforts will be deployedto facilitate speeayfilling of all the posts,including the national posts? It is clear that the sheersize ofthe terriiory coveredby the Mission has its challengesand added difficulties. In this context, the Group requestsan elaboration of the effort made to streamline the structure, reporting tines and coordination by the Mission to eliminate or reduceany duplication to the barestminimum. The Group wishes to underscorethe need to make adequateprovision for the security and safety of the lives of staff and groperty. Despite the seemingly increasednumber of posts proposed under component2: securiqr,the Group wants assurances that theseconcernshave been properly factored into the budget proposal before us and how this component would possibly be reconfigured in light of the Advisory Committee's recommendation on the addition of a Deputy Force Commandernost.

On disarmament,demobilization and reintegration,though the request for $49,775,000would seem sigrrificant, there is no doubt that in the case of Sudan, the budget was formulated in response to the Mission's mandate and in accordance with the criteria established by the Assembly. ln this connection we noted that the $550 per ex-combatantwould cover expenses related to disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion only. Also we noted that the mission in conjunction with UNDP and UNICEF have established a joint DDRU unit which coordinates with the North and South DDR Commission. This is a good mechanism for the programme and we hope that it will progress smoothly. Consequently, we expect to receive information regarding progress so far made in this cooperation and the programmes the Mission is responsible for including in the context of the larger cooperation prograrnme handled by the North-South Commission. The Group also wants to ascertainthat the Mission is carrying out its mandate regarding de-mining in collaboration with UNOPS, so as to speedily open up the areaswhere UNMIS would deploy The Group would appreciate receiving assurances that the Quick Impact Projects (QUIPS) would proceed as planned in the 2006-2007 cycle. The positive impact such projects have on the population cannot be over-emphasized. They should be accorded priority attention. We expect to receive a comprehensive assessmentof the impact of QUIPS in the context of the 2007-2008 budgetsubmission. Similarly, we wish to receive further information on the concept of national volunteer programme started recently and trust that after one full year of its implementation, it would be reviewed to assessits impact. The African Group supports all efforts geared towards capacity building that would enrich the lives of the local population. All the new dispositionstaken by the Mission to improve efficiency are welcome. In this regard we note the increased use of riverine transportation but would also request an update on the overview of the challengesfacing the Mission in its employ of both the air and riverine modesof transportation- There is also an additional need to know what plans are envisagedby the Mission on the possibility of entering into a cost-sharing arrangementwith other LIN Agencies operating in the areafor the utilization ofits air assetsMr. Chairman, There is no gain saying the fact that the mission has made commendable stridesoverall. We look forward to discussingtheseand other issuesduring our informals. Thank you.