Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Briefing on Sudan
Madam President,
We are grateful to the UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, and to the Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières, Christopher Lockyer, for their briefings. We welcome the participation in the meeting of the Permanent Representatives of Sudan and the UAE.
The armed conflict in Sudan, which has lasted since the spring of 2023, is compounded by severe civilian hardship. The hostilities have disrupted up to two thirds of all medical facilities, harshly limited access to education for the Sudanese, and caused economic difficulties in the country. The direst situation is observed in “greater Darfur”, where the Rapid Support Force (RSF) and their affiliated groups spare no effort to take root and create a stronghold. The city of El Fasher and the Zamzam refugee camp in its surroundings remain under siege. We regard such actions as a real threat to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan. In the statement for the press on March 5, the Security Council gave its negative assessment of the attempts by the RSF and its affiliates to establish parallel bodies of power. We are also receiving information that anti-Government forces are planning to print and issue national passports for the Sudanese living in the areas held by them; they are also planning to emit their own currency. We strongly condemn such steps. We are convinced that the exclusive prerogative of the central Government to do such things is something that in no circumstances should be called into question; and we do believe that the clandestine actions of the rebels, who are at pains to shore up their legitimacy and ambitions for power, should not be encouraged.
What offers guarded optimism is the incremental liberation by the armed forces of Sudan of more and more areas of the country. In particular, the army is very close to clearing the central part of Khartoum. Regaining control by the army – as we have seen in the liberated towns and villages in the central and eastern parts of the country – is indeed bringing longed-for stability. Of course, it would be premature to say that the people in the areas that returned to the Government’s control are receiving everything they need. But at least these people are now more confident about the future and feel more safe and secure. The worn-out idea that “nowhere in Sudan is safe” is hardly relevant now.
It is of fundamental importance to pay attention to the proper funding for the humanitarian response plan in Sudan. Last year it was underfunded, and there is a danger that this year the situation could become even worse.
Against that backdrop, the heaviest burden falls on UN humanitarian agencies and their partners. The scope of their activities is expanding owing to the efforts of Port Sudan. We are convinced that the path to alleviating the suffering of people and ensuring the uninterrupted supply of food and medicine lies through close cooperation between humanitarians and the incumbent Government. We need to acknowledge that the authorities are also doing a great job to stop violence against women and children. However, serious improvements here are to be seen not until the hostilities stop.
Russia welcomes the active work undertaken by humanitarian partners in Sudan. We are convinced that the humanitarian agencies will continue to adhere to the principles of impartiality, neutrality and will be depoliticized in their work on the ground. It is important to rule out any steps in their work that could be viewed as facilitating tendencies towards decentralization.
We are convinced that the current conflict in Sudan can and should be settled through political and diplomatic means. At the same time, it is important that these efforts pave the way for launching a broad national dialogue that would involve all patriotic and “sane” forces pursuing an exclusively unifying agenda. It is crucial to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past when alien political schemes were imposed on Sudan. The UN system, and especially the UN Security Council, should complement and advance the peace process in Sudan rather than impose recipes that are predestined to fail.
Thank you for.
