Statement by Anna Evstigneeva, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at the UNSC meeting on Sudan
Mr. President,
We thank Under-Secretary-Generals Rosemary DiCarlo and Jean-Pierre Lacroix for their assessments of the situation in Sudan and report on the activities of UNAMID, as well as progress of deployment of UNITAMS – UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan.
At the outset, we would like to full-heartedly congratulate the people and government of Sudan on what can be without any exaggeration called a historic event. On 31 August, principal agreements for peace and the future of the country were made in Juba. We look forward to the official signing of a peace agreement and start of implementation of the obligations taken upon by the sides.
In this regard, we cannot fail to notice mediation efforts of South Sudanese and personally President S.Kiir. This is yet another proof of effectiveness of the formula “African solutions – to African problems”.
Mr. President,
We agree with conclusions of the Secretary-General’ report that Sudan is facing complicated tasks of restoring the country’s economy and implementing peacebuilding initiatives. That is why we believe the new UN special political mission should achieve its “design capacity” as soon as possible. Khartoum is entitled to expect swift necessary assistance of the global community, and the Security Council must not fail the Sudanese.
We have taken for consideration the proposal of the Secretary-General to negotiate in the nearest term the modalities of transfer of assets and support capacities from the withdrawing UNAMID to UNITAMS. We believe this initiative is very timely, and we call upon the Secretariat to address this issue with due attention.
Mr. President,
We would like to once again express our position in favor of ultimate withdrawal of the hybrid UN-AU operation which has successfully coped with all its mandated tasks. The challenges that exist for Darfur today are of peacebuilding rather than peacekeeping nature. Time has come to focus on restoration and economic development of Darfur – this is what should be a priority at this point. Step-by step drawdown and withdrawal of UNAMID should proceed within the terms outlined by resolution 2525.
The dynamic in Darfur has not undergone any significant negative changes. Inter-communal clashes in some states, caused, among other things by circumstances of seasonal cattle-driving, do not change the overall situation. Besides, well-coordinated and prompt reaction of the authorities, as well as the active national strategy for protection of civilians, on the progress of which the Sudanese regularly update the Council, once again proves the eagerness of Khartoum to overcome the underlying root causes of conflict in a comprehensive manner. We can only welcome that.
Again, we would like to remain that Abdul Wahid Nur, who among other things refused to join the peace agreements, remains the major spoiler of the peace process and stands responsible for antagonizing of the Sudan Liberation Army in Jebel Marra. We once again call on the countries that can influence this "irreconcilable" revolutionary to exert the required pressure on him.
Mr. President,
We have noticed that the Secretary-General not once called to lift unilateral economic sanctions, i.a. cancel such “anachronism” as Sudan’s inclusion on the US list of so-called “State Sponsors of Terrorism”. Of course, we join this call. One cannot speak about importance of economic restoration of the country while, in parallel to this, acting to impede the implementation of initiatives led by global financial institutions. We clearly see that lifting of unilateral sanctions against Sudan is furnished by conditions that have nothing to do with settlement in Sudan, but feature the agenda of those who imposed those restrictions. Such blatant cynicism has long ceased to surprise us.
Thank you.