Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Briefing on Sudan
We thank Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher and Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee for their briefings. We welcome the participation in the meeting of the Permanent Representatives of Sudan and the UAE.
Unfortunately, the situation in Sudan is way alarming. The latest surge in tension was triggered by the fact that the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and affiliated groups seized control over El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Reported widespread human rights violations there are a cause of our deep concern. The use of violence against civilians, especially on ethnic grounds, is unacceptable and runs counter to universally recognized norms of international humanitarian law. The atrocities committed by the rebels against the residents of the city, and images thereof circulating online, are nothing but shocking. The Sudanese have already endured similar horrors in El Geneina and El Gezira. After witnessing this, no member of the Council should have any doubts about what kind of practices are likely to entrench in territories outside the control of the Sudanese Government. In addition, given increasing reports of a significant number of foreign fighters in the RSF ranks, including those from regions remote from Sudan, there is a question to what extent they are accountable to anyone and whether someone controls them at all.
The situation around El Fasher must serve as a clear signal to all of us that the only way forward for Sudan is through reliable stabilization and the establishment of order throughout the country under the control of unified and centralized institutions of governance. Any other path would pave the way to spiraling violence in the country, getting the country back to the days of inter-ethnic conflict in Darfur with potential spillover thereof into neighboring Chad.
The situation in El Fasher has exposed a truly dire humanitarian situation in the western regions of the country. The ability to deliver aid to areas held by rebels is limited or downright impossible, which is fraught with life-threatening risks for humanitarian workers. In this regard, we’ve noted assessments by UN humanitarian agencies operating in the country indicating that it is the RSF that is obstructing the unhindered delivery of aid to those in need. At the same time, these agencies have confirmed that all necessary permits and approvals have been obtained by them from Port Sudan in a timely manner. We consider it important to maintain close coordination with the country's government when it comes to distributing aid, identifying the most urgent needs, and resolving administrative and logistical issues. As we can see, the Sudanese authorities are fully open to this cooperation, but they do expect that the UN and its partners carry out their part of work in good faith and without politicization.
In light of the escalation around El Fasher, there are growing calls for concrete action “on the ground” to compel the parties to make peace. We believe that such measures will only be effective if they receive the support from the Sudanese people themselves and the government representing their interest under the leadership of Prime Minister Kamil Idris. Any attempts geared towards putting the warring parties on a par or claims that neither of them has legitimate authority can only be seen as steps encouraging separatism and internal discord. We urge all Council members to focus on constructive engagement and tangible assistance to the Sudanese people, rather than prompting division. It is precisely in this spirit that the Security Council should act to bring peace to Sudan.
Russia consistently advocates peaceful resolution to the protracted conflict in Sudan. What should be prioritized here is the preservation of the country's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Alongside other responsible members of the international community, Russia too rejects the creation of any parallel structures of power.
Achieving the desired normalization is only possible through the prompt cessation of hostilities and the launch of a comprehensive Sudanese-led political process that would solely reflect their national interests. Diplomatic efforts to overcome the crisis should be genuinely geared towards facilitating national reconciliation, with due regard to the positions and approaches of the Sudanese government and all patriotic socio-political forces that enjoy broad support of the people.
