Statement by Gennady Kuzmin, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at the open VTC of UNSC members on ICC Prosecutor’s report on situation in Darfur
Mme. President,
We note that security dynamics in Darfur have remained mostly unchanged. Isolated incidents, as well as sporadic but low-scale clashes in Jebel Marra between the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan Liberation Army of Abdul Wahid Nur (who actually remains the main spoiler of the peace process) do not change the picture.
Just recently, on June 3, the Security Council decided on a future international presence in Sudan by adopting resolution 2524 on the deployment of a new special mission - the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan - UNITAMS.
In its decision, the Security Council was guided, first of all, by the request of the Sudanese themselves to provide assistance during this important period for the country transitioning from peacekeeping to peacebuilding.
UNITAMS is called upon to strengthen Sudan's national capacity in a number of important areas, including national reconciliation in Darfur, as well as to mobilize economic support for the upcoming reforms. The mission’s “good offices” are also spelled out in the context of the ongoing peace talks in Juba, during which specific modalities for stabilizing the country will be determined.
Responding to the request of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, the UN Security Council simultaneously in resolution 2525 extended the mandate of UNAMID until December 31, 2020, so that the winding up of the joint peacekeeping operation of the UN and the AU would proceed in a calm and responsible manner.
We believe that these recent decisions of the Council will support Khartoum precisely where the Sudanese themselves need and expect. The above applies equally to the process of bringing to justice those who are guilty of crimes in this country.
I thank you.
