Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on the situation in Sudan
Mr.President,
We thank Secretary-General Guterres for his assessments of the current situation in Sudan. We welcome the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sudan to this meeting.
We studied carefully the SG’s report on the situation in the country and the withdrawal of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). Its main part is devoted to political, security, economic, humanitarian and human rights aspects. The report devoted only two pages to the withdrawal of UNITAMS, giving preference to political assessments and accounts of atrocities of the warring parties in Sudan.
The report either demands something from the Sudanese or implicates them. We are convinced that in the current difficult circumstances they do not need criticism but sound advice and useful recommendations. Such a tone would reflect the Security Council's attitude towards constructive interaction with Sudan.
The Security Council and its members must remain above the parties to the conflict. Such a line would have helped to restore Sudanese confidence in the United Nations system. Unfortunately, that trust has been lost due to inconsistent steps by the former leadership of UNITAMS, which is now defunct. What we see at this point is that some members of the Security Council pursue their own agendas, including through the use of UN mechanisms.
Sudan needs to move towards finding ways to overcome the current acute phase of the conflict that are acceptable to the Sudanese themselves. Of course, ending the confrontation and the suffering of civilians must remain a priority that international and regional mediation efforts should be focused on. We note the significant potential of the negotiating platform in Jeddah, where the Sudanese signed a declaration of commitment to protect Sudanese civilians on 11 March 2023. We welcome efforts to revitalize the work of that format, first and foremost in the humanitarian area. We are confident that dedicated and unbiased work by USG for Humanitarian Affairs M.Griffiths could yield positive results.
Mr.President,
We understand the concern of the delegations and the Secretariat over the complex humanitarian situation in Sudan. As you know, as early as February 27, we received "sobering" signals that the situation was almost catastrophic due to the decision of the Sudanese authorities to suspend the delivery of humanitarian supplies through the Sudanese-Chadian border. We note that this did not always coincide with the assessments we received from the ground. In addition, on March 5, the Sudanese authorities decided to let humanitarian supplies through checkpoints on the border with Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, as well as by air to a number of airports. We believe that this addresses previously voiced concerns. As Sudan's Humanitarian Coordinator, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, rightly said, this is "a welcome step that will greatly facilitate the efforts of the UN and partners to deliver life-saving assistance to people in need, and it comes in line with Jeddah's declaration to organize safe and sustainable humanitarian corridors under the guarantee of the parties to the conflict."
We are convinced that reducing the level of humanitarian cooperation with the current authorities would be a short-sighted step. It is the authorities who bear full responsibility for rectifying the current humanitarian situation, assisting in the distribution of supplies and keeping records. To refuse this means to aggravate the already dire situation of the Sudanese. As the practice of recent months has shown, the delivery of supplies from Chad does not solve all the problems; it is necessary to increase deliveries through various points under the control of the central authorities.
The Sudanese authorities have shown ready to work towards a positive and constructive solution to emerging problems, which we believe can be the starting point for achieving a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. To that end, it is no less important that the other party involved also embark on a path of a compromise and be guided not by personal aspirations but by Sudan’s national interests.
The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ramtane Lamamra, can play a decisive role in unifying and mainstreaming mediation efforts, within his existing mandate. He has already met with various Sudanese stakeholders. It is encouraging that he does closed format consultations with us, which will allow him to focus on the "quiet diplomacy" so needed in the current circumstances and to take into account the negative experience of UNITAMS, which had to withdraw from Sudan.
In these circumstances, we would welcome proactive steps by regional associations towards Sudan. In the first place, I am referring to the African Union and IGAD. Such steps should be based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan and the inviolability of its state institutions. However, it is certain that the Sudanese themselves must find ways to solve their country's problems. Western media reports sometimes make it seem that Sudanese politicians are a narrow group of individuals who live outside their homeland. This is not the case. Sudan's political map is very diverse and active, and it has support among the population. If it consolidates on a nationwide basis, it can pave the way to unity and stability of the country.
Thank you.
