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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 7-- The UN Security Council Thursday adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Sudan Sanctions Committee until March 12, 2020. According to the resolution 2455, the council recalled the final report of the Sudan Panel of Experts and found that challenges remain in the implementation of the sanctions regime. The 15-member body determined that "the situation in Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region." Dated Jan. 10, 2019, the final report of the Panel of Experts said that the crisis in Libya remains the major source of possible conflict spillover in the region, including Darfur, a region in western Sudan. According to the report, the main development in conflict dynamics has been the resumption of significant clashes across Jebel Marra between Government forces and the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW). Moreover, in relation to violations of the arms embargo, the report found that the government of Sudan had continued to transfer military equipment into Darfur without seeking the Committee's approval as required. "Clashes in Jebel Marra have resulted in new displacement, humanitarian crisis and human rights abuses. Across Darfur, women and girls continue to be subjected to conflict-related sexual violence," said the report. As of sexual violence, the UN Secretary-General's latest report on the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said its threat remains "significant," with most cases of conflict-related sexual violence occurring in Jebel Marra, notably during clashes involving Sudanese government forces and the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid rebel group. | 
