This undated file photo shows Dai Bing, chargé d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the UN. (PHOTO / FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL WEBSITE)
A Chinese envoy to the United Nations said China is prepared to play a role in building peace in Sudan, as the shutdown of a peacekeeping mission for the country's Darfur region proceeds on schedule.
"China stands ready to work with the rest of the international community in a continuous effort to play a positive role in building peace in Sudan," Dai Bing, chargé d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the UN, told a Security Council meeting on Tuesday.
The council was discussing the drawdown of the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur, or UNAMID.
The intercommunal violence in Darfur that led to the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur, or UNAMID, needs to be addressed through a holistic approach involving mediation and reconciliation, said Dai Bing, chargé d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the UN. He called on the international community and the UN country team in Sudan to support people displaced by the conflict
Since 2007, China has been engaged in the hybrid operation and was one of the first countries to contribute peacekeepers to the mission.
Around 5,000 Chinese peacekeepers have performed their duties over the past 13 years, and two of them had died in the mission for peace, Dai said.
Dai paid tribute to the countries that have contributed troops and police officers to the UN-African Union mission.
Since its inception, UNAMID has played an important role in maintaining security and stability in Darfur.
As the first UN-AU joint peacekeeping operation, the mission is a success story, said Dai.
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"China hopes that the UN will take stock and looks forward to the secretary-general's assessment report to be submitted at the end of October this year," the envoy said.
Liquidation process
"It is hoped that UNAMID will complete its liquidation process including asset liquidation methodically, in accordance with the financial regulations and rules of the UN, and avoid asset loss and improper disposal."
He noted that the Darfur region stands at a critical stage of the transition from peacekeeping to peace building.
The intercommunal violence in Darfur that led to the mission needs to be addressed through a holistic approach involving mediation and reconciliation, Dai said. He called on the international community and the UN country team in Sudan to support people displaced by the conflict.
The Sudanese government "bears the main responsibility of protecting civilians in Darfur", Dai said.
After UNAMID's withdrawal, the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan, or UNITAMS, can help the Sudanese government improve its ability to protect civilians, support the government in implementing its national plan for civilian protection, and strengthen its capacity for security-building.
Dai stressed the importance of addressing the symptoms and root causes of violent conflicts by growing the economy and improving people's livelihoods.
As a result of COVID-19 and other natural disasters, the security situation in Darfur remains precarious, he said.
The envoy called on the international community to enhance its support for peace building in Darfur, help improve Sudan's development capabilities, and address issues such as land distribution in order to improve people's livelihoods.
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During UNAMID's 13-year mandate, more than 100,000 military and police personnel have been sent to the mission by dozens of nations.
The mission confirmed its decision to shut down following the unanimous adoption of a Security Council resolution last December. The resolution requires all UNAMID uniformed and civilian personnel from Sudan, except a liquidation team that completes the closure of the mission, to withdraw by June 30.
