Explanation of vote by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva after UNSC vote on a draft resolution on the renewal of the mandate of UNITAMS (Sudan)
Mme.President,
Russia supported the draft UNSC resolution put forward by the UK on a technical rollover of the UN Integrated Transition Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).
The situation in Sudan continues to raise concern. The conflict among the regular army and the rapid support forces that began on 15 April does not abate. Dire humanitarian situation is evolving. The number of refugees and IDPs is on the rise. Further escalation is fraught with exacerbating security risks in Sudan and destabilization in the neighboring countries that are already in a vulnerable position.
We call on the Sudanese sides to demonstrate political will and wisdom, and take urgent steps to put an end to the armed confrontation. We support the national and regional efforts aimed at settlement and a ceasefire.
The technical rollover of UNITAMS is the only right decision in this situation. We proceed from the assumption that in its future activities, UNITAMS (which operates following an invitation by Sudan itself), will take into account the opinion of the host country. Otherwise, the mandate of UNITAMS cannot be implemented effectively. External interference in sovereign affairs is unacceptable. We anticipate that, once the acute phase of the conflict is over, the Security Council will be able to return to discussing the parameters of the United Nations presence that Sudan requires.
Mme.President
We call on the United Nations to pay specific attention to providing humanitarian assistance to Sudan and its neighbors in full accordance with the guiding principles set out in UNGA resolution 46/182.
In this regard, when discussing the draft UNSC press statement, which was also adopted today, we were concerned about attempts to call these fundamental principles into question. External interference in the sovereignty of Sudan is unacceptable.
We regret that this clear message which was also agreed by the African Union was not reflected in the Council's response to the situation in the country. Furthermore, we would like to reaffirm our commitment to the national unity of Sudan. We stood firm on that point when negotiating UNSC documents and would like to underscore that even the slightest hint of deviation from it is unacceptable.
Thank you.
