As is well-known, Darfur is one of the regions of the Sudan that is affected ...

As is well-known, Darfur is one of the regions of the Sudan that is affected by conflict. The report includes a call on the non-signatory movements to cease hostilities and join the forward march towards peace. I mention this for the benefit of those who are unaware that violence against women in Darfur is fundamentally and actively caused by the armed movements that are intent on preventing the establishment of peace and security in Darfur. To camouflage those facts, they sometimes dress in military uniforms in order to convey the erroneous perception that the official military is responsible for perpetrating such violence.

We had expected the report to reflect the calm security situation and the decrease in violence, although that reality had been previously reflected in reports of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations presented at various meetings of the Security Council.

Paragraph 54 of the report contains a reference indicating that some of those who perpetrate violence against women, as I mentioned, have been dressed in military uniforms. That reflects an inaccurate perception that can only be dispelled by unambiguously confirming that the perpetrators belonged to armed rebel movements.