Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on the situation in Sudan
Mme.President,
We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Volker Perthes for briefing us on the developments in Sudan. We listened carefully to Ms. Hala Alkarib. We also welcome the Permanent Representative of Sudan to this briefing.
Internal political situation in Sudan remains complicated. It continues to be affected by the developments and Libya, the growing number of IDPs and refugees from the neighboring African states, and the spread of the novel coronavirus. Sudan is experiencing profound socio-economic difficulties that are paralleled by the growing inflation and a decline in the national currency. We note the efforts that the Sudanese authorities take to improve the situation, i.a. by implementing some tough decisions. It is essential to give due account to the sentiments of the population, which is the first to confront all economic hardships.
In this regard, we reckon that the activity of UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) will add to sustaining Khartoum’s capacity in such core areas as peacebuilding, socio-economic transformations, maintaining domestic peace and legal order. In these circumstances, we attach great importance to maintaining well-balanced contacts with all Sudanese authorities, supporting their efforts to implement the Constitutional Declaration of 17 August 2019, aimed at internal stabilization. We note the commitment of Sudanese leadership to further normalization in Darfur.
The signing of the Juba agreement in October last year between Sudan’s Transitional Government and the “Sudanese Revolutionary Front” was a meaningful step towards lasting stabilization in the country, and solving many of its urgent problems. We note Khartoum take steps to implement the provisions of this agreement, i.a. establish corresponding military committees.
We strongly call upon all armed groups that so far have remained outside the peace process to join the agreement. It is regrettable that Abdul Wahid Nur still refuses to engage in a dialogue with Khartoum.
We look forward to the continuation of talks between the authorities and “People’s Liberation Movement-North”/ Abdelaziz al-Hilu faction on the basis of the declaration on principles that the sides signed earlier. We count on UNITAMS to render the required support to this process.
We welcome Khartoum’s readiness to thoroughly address the root causes of conflicts and inter-communal disputes in various regions of Sudan. Prompt implementation of the National Plan for Civilian Protection by all means will be a solid asset in this matter.
Mme.President,
The situation in Darfur is gradually getting back to a peaceful track. Sporadic inter-communal clashes in some states do not change the overall dynamic. Well-coordinated response of the authorities to incidents proves Khartoum’s commitment to take a comprehensive approach to promoting stabilization.
We are satisfied with the Secretary-General’s assessments that the drawdown of UNAMID that has successfully completed all its tasks, proceeds as planned and that there is close interaction between the personnel of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Sudanese side. In this regard, we commend the efforts made by the UN Secretariat.
Thank you.
