Explanation of vote by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia after UNSC vote on a draft resolution on renewal of the mandate of UNITAMS (Sudan)
Mme.President,
Russia supported the renewal of the mandate of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). We commend the responsible approach of the authors of the resolution, thanks to which Security Council maintained a consensus on the issue of supporting the Republic of Sudan, which is living through a complicated period of internal policy, characterized by acute humanitarian and socio-economic challenges. We support the efforts of the Sudanese Government aimed at stabilizing the situation in the country. We are convinced that the people of Sudan is capable of resolving its internal problems by means of a constructive national dialogue. We proceed from the understanding that the Sudanese should negotiate the terms, speed, and parameters of transitional period by themselves. To be able to do this, Sudan’s responsible political forces need to have some space, and the international community – some patience.
External political and economic pressure, even when it is said to pursue noble goals, risks aggravating the already complex situation. Most external stakeholders come to the region with their own interests, which gives a start to new spirals of instability. Using economic assistance as a tool of political leverage not only harms ordinary Sudanese people, but also triggers tensions in Sudan’s political domain.
We call on all external forces, including the UN Mission, to play a constructive role. UNITAMS was deployed upon request of the Sudanese Government – in order to support national efforts in the area of sustaining peace, implementing the Juba Peace Agreement, and resolving issues related to IDPs and refugees, as well as mobilizing support for Sudan’s economic development. We do hope that UNITAMS will meet the aspirations of the people of Sudan.
Thank you.
