S/2020/1183 Security Council

I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of the briefings provided by Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; and Mr. Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, as well as the statements delivered by the representatives of Belgium, China, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia (on behalf of Indonesia and Viet Nam), the Niger (on behalf of the Niger, South Africa and Tunisia as well as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America in connection with the video-teleconference on the “Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan” convened on Tuesday, 8 December 2020. A statement was also delivered by the representative of the Sudan. In accordance with the procedure set out in the letter dated 7 May 2020 from the President of the Security Council addressed to Permanent Representatives of the members of the Security Council (S/2020/372), which was agreed in the light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic, these briefings and statements will be issued as an official document of the Security Council.

I thank the South African presidency of the Security Council for this opportunity to brief the Council today on the situation in the Sudan. Since my last briefing in September (see S/PV.8761), the Sudan has made progress in its democratic transition. The Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan between the transitional Government, the Sudan Revolutionary Front alliance and the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi faction was signed on 3 October and enshrined in the Constitutional Document on 2 November. The amended Constitutional Document extends the transitional period to 39 months from the date of signature of the Juba peace agreement. It expands the membership of the Sovereign Council from 11 to 14 members and provides for the signatories to select 25 per cent of ministerial portfolios and 75 seats out of the 300 in the Transitional Legislative Council. It also provides for the establishment of the Council of Partners for the Transitional Period and exempts representatives of the signatories from the ban on running for office in elections that will follow this period. The formation of the Transitional Legislative Council has now been postponed until 31 December. All political stakeholders will need to engage in constructive consultations to ensure the creation of an inclusive and representative body that reflects the diversity of the Sudan’s social and political landscape and includes significant representation of women. Despite the progress observed, political forces are increasingly fragmented. Disagreements have surfaced particularly over the mandate and functions of the Council of Partners for the Transitional Period that was established on 1 December. Key political stakeholders expressed concern that the nominally advisory and coordination body may have been given additional powers that would undermine those of other transitional institutions. While initially supportive, the Council of Ministers and the Forces for Freedom and Change subsequently rejected the suggested authority of the Council of Partners and its current composition and deplored the lack of women and youth representation. The Council of Ministers also called for the swift formation of the Transitional Legislative Council, emphasizing its exclusive power of oversight and accountability, and its role in guiding the transitional period. I hope that consensus can be found to ensure the functioning of clearly defined transitional institutions that are inclusive and effective. I also echo the transitional Government’s call for the swift formation of the legislative body pursuant to the Constitutional Document. Let me note that while the transitional authorities have committed to the promotion of gender equality, women remain underrepresented in transitional structures. There are only three women among the Cabinet’s 18 ministers, and the Council of Partners has only one female representative. I welcome the efforts of women’s organizations to develop a common agenda in promoting the inclusion of women. The equal right to political participation and representation of women in decision-making at all levels of the transition is an integral part of democratization. I commend the transitional Government’s efforts in relation to legal reforms that promote gender equality.The dire economic situation continues to cast a dark and long shadow over all the foregoing efforts. Restrictions occasioned by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including the five-month-long shutdown to prevent the spread of the disease resulted in a severe decline in economic activity and a loss of approximately 42 per cent of State revenues. Given the Sudan’s arrears, the country has been unable to avail itself of debt relief. The increased spending on emergency health programmes, coupled with a decline in public revenues, has led to a budget deficit of approximately $250 million per month. Rampant inflation and exchange rate fluctuations are negatively affecting the amounts of funding available for programme delivery. Further, the inflation rate increased to 229.85 per cent in October, negatively affecting United Nations agencies’ and partners’ operations. On 19 December, we will mark the second anniversary of the revolution in the Sudan. Demonstrations continue to intermittently occur across the country because of the economic crisis, voicing demands for Government reform and rejection of the amendments to the Constitutional Document. Some have been accompanied by loss of life and injuries. The COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated humanitarian needs, which have also been driven by severe flooding, intercommunal violence and prolonged displacement. In recent weeks, over 48,000 people have fled the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and sought refuge in the Sudan, which has put an additional strain on the Sudanese authorities. In the International Monetary Fund’s staff-monitored programme, which was signed in September, the transitional Government agreed to implement the removal of subsidies and undertake macroeconomic reforms, which have caused serious hardships for the population in the short term. It is critical that the international community continue supporting the country’s economic recovery through funding the basic income cash transfer programme known as the Sudan Family Support Programme, which is intended to mitigate the social impact of the transitional Government’s economic reform agenda. I once again welcome the intention of the United States to rescind the Sudan’s designation as a State sponsor of terrorism, a change that will facilitate the country’s access to critical international financial assistance. I also welcome the commitment of President Emmanuel Macron of France to holding an international economic conference in Paris next year in support of the Sudan. After a thorough planning process involving the United Nations system, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), began to deploy to Khartoum in October. The team is now continuing its consultations with transitional authorities regarding priorities for this time-bound mission. The transitional Government has underscored the need for UNITAMS to have a light footprint, which is how the Mission has been configured. The Mission will focus on the four objectives outlined in resolution 2524 (2020): assisting the political transition; supporting peace processes; bolstering peacebuilding, civilian protection and the rule of law; and promoting the mobilization of economic, development and humanitarian assistance. The Mission will provide good offices, technical support and capacity-building. It will also leverage the work of the United Nations country team. UNITAMS is headquartered in Khartoum but will establish field offices in Darfur, the Two Areas and Eastern Sudan. Let me stress that UNITAMS will be a fully integrated Mission, and the Mission staff and the United Nations country team S/2020/1183 are now developing an integrated strategic framework and coordination structures to maximize United Nations support and effectiveness. Our goal is for UNITAMS, together with the country team, to begin delivering on all the Mission’s strategic objectives by 1 January 2021. As the Mission establishes itself, we count on the transitional Government’s continued support. In that regard, I urge the transitional Government to finalize the status-of-mission agreement for UNITAMS. UNITAMS is also working closely with the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in anticipation of its drawdown. The protection of civilians remains a concern, especially for women and children, who face a multitude of risks in areas still under the control of armed groups. The protection of civilians will be the responsibility of the transitional Government, but UNITAMS will provide support and help to create a protective environment for vulnerable populations. I welcome the steps the Government has taken to address that issue, including through the formulation of a national plan for civilian protection and the announcement that 12,000 members of a protection force will be deployed to Darfur. National and local authorities have made a strong commitment to ensuring basic security and protection across the Sudan. UNITAMS will support the transitional Government by helping to create a protective environment. Joint UNAMID-UNITAMS teams are conducting assessment visits focused on the protection of civilians to ensure that lessons learned from UNAMID are applied and sustained. UNITAMS will have child protection advisers, women’s protection advisers, human rights officers and police trainers to support the transitional Government’s efforts. However, the effective protection of civilians can be achieved only through the Sudan’s own efforts. Key to such efforts will be the implementation of the Juba peace agreement, which is a major step towards ending years of conflict in the country, addressing the root causes and building sustainable peace. The Sudan is at a critical juncture. It can move forward decisively in its transition, but that process could still be derailed by the many challenges it faces. It is incumbent on all of us to support the Sudan in its efforts to achieve democratic governance, economic prosperity and an inclusive society for all Sudanese people.

I thank you, Sir, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council. The African Union-United Nations joint special report (S/2020/1155), and its annex, on the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), provide an update on the situation in Darfur. I will focus my remarks on the recommendations contained in the joint special report and what we foresee as the next steps and key issues. The joint special report recommendations should be considered in the broader context of milestone political developments, such as the signing of the Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan on 3 October and the Government’s national plan for the protection of civilians (see S/2020/429, annex), which was submitted to the Security Council earlier this year. They constitute a solid basis for addressing the root causes of the conflict in Darfur and other areas of the Sudan, and also create the necessary institutional framework for the parties to the peace agreement to jointly assume the primary responsibility to protect civilians. In that context, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations have had extensive discussions on the way forward for UNAMID. We held a Tripartite Coordination Mechanism meeting in Khartoum at the end of October and met with other Government officials at the national and Darfur state levels during my joint visit with Mr. Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security. Details of those discussions are presented in the joint special report. What is evident from those consultations is the firm and unequivocal resolve of the transitional Government to assume responsibility for the protection of civilians. We welcome and support that commitment. The national plan for the protection of civilians, developed by the transitional Government, is a comprehensive document that can serve as a basis for the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) and the United Nations country team to develop a complementary support strategy going forward. Pursuant to decree 360 of 13 October, the Government has begun to deploy to Darfur a civilian protection force, whose size and reach are intended to surpass that of UNAMID. This new security arrangement is also in line with the Juba peace agreement, which included the establishment of the joint security-keeping force, composed of Government forces and signatory armed movements, to maintain security and protect civilians in Darfur. During the reporting period, Darfur has seen a spike in clashes involving Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)-Abdul Wahid elements and in intercommunal violence. Attacks against internally displaced persons (IDPs), civilians and protesters have also continued throughout the year. That reflects trends related to seasonal migration, but also anxiety and uncertainty among the Darfuri constituencies about the ongoing transition at the national and state levels. The situation in volatile IDP camps, such as in Kalma in South Darfur, Sortony in North Darfur, and Hamadiya in Central Darfur, and the areas around Golo, in the Jebel Marra region, will be of particular concern, as the Government forces do not yet have a sustained presence there, or even access. We believe that the recent positive indications by SLA-Abdul Wahid of potential involvement in the peace process could bring about a change in the disposition and situation of those constituencies. In the light of these developments, the Tripartite Coordination Mechanism recommended the termination of UNAMID at the end of its current mandate, 31 December 2020, followed by a six-month period of drawdown and liquidation S/2020/1183 S/2020/1183 thereafter. The drawdown process will be a major undertaking in Darfur, and I would like to point out a few critical issues for the consideration of the Security Council. First, there is a need to coordinate international support for the Government and the parties to the Juba peace agreement, particularly its civilian protection force, in its efforts to protect civilians. This force is to be deployed to Darfur as UNAMID draws down. In that context, it is critical that we clarify the expectations and roles of UNAMID and the Government during the drawdown, in line with the UNAMID status-of-mission agreement. If the Security Council decides to terminate UNAMID’s mandate on 31 December 2020, our troops and formed police units will cease operations as of 1 January 2021. Our remaining contingents would then be dedicated to the protection of the remaining UNAMID personnel, team sites and assets during the drawdown, while preparing for exit. In the event of a major security incident or threat to civilians in Darfur during this period, the onus would be on the transitional Sudanese authorities and the relevant institutions to respond, as UNAMID would not be able to intervene after 31 December if the mandate has ended. Secondly, it is critical that the transition from UNAMID to UNITAMS consolidate the gains made in peacebuilding. The State liaison functions funded by UNAMID have been a unique, innovative vehicle for joint planning and programming with the United Nations country team. UNAMID will continue supporting State liaison functions and other areas of substantive civilian support for peacebuilding, community engagement, human rights monitoring and police and rule of law assistance, including joint patrols with the Sudanese police, until the last day of its mandate, 31 December, if the mandate is not renewed. We must ensure that UNITAMS and the United Nations country team will be able to assist the Government during the drawdown period in maintaining peacebuilding support and enhancing protections so as to prevent a relapse of the conflict in fragile communities. Thirdly, coordinated political advocacy is required in order to support an orderly and safe drawdown of UNAMID and closure of the team sites. UNAMID is engaging both the central and local authorities, as well as community members, to ensure their cooperation during the drawdown, and also to address the claims and grievances of former national staff, which are increasingly being manifested through protests and demonstrations. The closure of team sites requires labour- intensive processes for environmental clean-up, repatriation and disposal of assets and equipment, including contingent- and United Nations-owned equipment — all of which must be secured throughout the process. The transitional Government has pledged its full support for the facilitation of an orderly and safe drawdown and liquidation process, as agreed in the outcome document of the Tripartite Coordination Mechanism on 25 October. However, at the local level, the operation is facing resistance from State authorities and local communities with regard to the removal and withdrawal of assets and equipment from the team sites. If the drawdown process is further accelerated, the Government would need to provide further concrete support at all levels to facilitate the process, including the identification of feasible and viable civilian end-users for the team sites and a robust security plan to prevent looting and other untoward incidents. Under-Secretary-General Khare will speak more on that issue. Notwithstanding those challenges, there is a real opportunity to end the decades-long conflict in Darfur through the implementation of the Juba peace agreement. The immediate peace dividends, the permanent ceasefire and the deployment of the joint security-keeping forces will change the dynamics on the ground and enhance ongoing Government efforts to gain the confidence of the local S/2020/1183 communities. That is the critical area for the United Nations and other international partners to further consider optimal modalities for support, in discussion with the parties. Finally, I would like to reiterate our appreciation for the African Union in managing the unprecedented hybrid mission. I would also like to commend the work of our colleagues in UNAMID. There were trying times in the history of UNAMID, but we believe that the presence of the mission averted large-scale violence in the difficult terrains and operating environments that it has faced. It is the responsibility of the transitional authorities of the Sudan and the parties to the Juba peace agreement, with the support of the international community, to safeguard the gains made by UNAMID.

I am grateful for this opportunity to contribute to this important discussion. Building on the statements of Under-Secretary-Generals Lacroix and DiCarlo, I will focus my remarks on the operational support aspects of the possible drawdown and closure of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and the continuing start-up of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). In doing so, I will highlight a number of key issues warranting the Council’s attention. UNAMID has long operated as a tripartite partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, working closely with the Government of the Sudan. That cooperation will never be as important as during the tasks involved in a safe and orderly drawdown and closure of the mission. In the best of circumstances, drawing down and closing one of the largest operations ever conducted under the auspices of the United Nations would be a major undertaking. UNAMID continues to deploy well over 6,000 military and police personnel, most of them within 22 contingents. The more than 1,500 remaining civilian staff include some 700 international staff. Together, they are spread across the logistics and operations base in El Fasher, mission headquarters in Zalingei and 13 team sites in Darfur, as well as in Khartoum and Port Sudan. The 22 contingents represent immeasurable value in equipment deployed by contributing countries. In addition, more than 10,000 mission assets plus inventory remain. The orderly and safe drawdown of the personnel of a mission of this size is clearly an endeavour of no less than six months, to be followed by a 9 to 12 month period of asset disposal and liquidation, with the ongoing full cooperation of the Government of the Sudan and local authorities. A compressed timeline and the inherent logistical challenges of closing the various team sites, repatriating uniformed personnel and their equipment, separating or reassigning remaining staff and properly disposing of the mission’s assets will be an enormous task. As the Council is aware, Darfur is a landlocked area, and the mission relies on a single, medium-sized runway to support strategic passenger movements. Furthermore, the movement of equipment and inventories across vast distances, both within Darfur and from Darfur to Port Sudan, will become paramount to the success of the drawdown. The mission currently relies on force protection provided by contingents as the backbone of its security arrangements. In the event of a drawdown, UNAMID would therefore increasingly rely on the Government of the Sudan to provide security to the staff and assets of the mission. Past experiences in the drawdown of UNAMID also demonstrate the need for the proper provision of security by the Government of the Sudan. Recognizing those imperatives, the Security Council may wish to consider options for maintaining a modest, inwardly focused guard unit capability during the drawdown. That may be especially important given the need for Sudanese security forces to focus on the protection of civilians. In addition, we are committed to the regulatory requirements of the Government of the Sudan under the status-of-mission agreement, where applicable, but coordinated and responsive approvals will be equally important. That includes efforts to ensure environmental restoration in each of our sites. Furthermore, S/2020/1183 visas for staff who are critical to the drawdown, along with some additional surge capacities, remain essential. The challenges ahead increase the strategic risks of a protracted drawdown and closure. Following the Tripartite Coordination Mechanism meeting in October, my Department and the mission jointly reviewed and updated UNAMID drawdown and closure planning to prepare for the expiration of the UNAMID mandate on 31 December 2020. Through briefings and discussion with the Government of the Sudan, we dedicated one day to establishing a coordination mechanism, for which officials visited El Fasher. The challenge remains daunting. My hope is that a streamlined coordination mechanism will provide a basis for addressing the challenges I have outlined today, but it must be augmented by ongoing engagement with the Government at the political level. The leadership of remaining United Nations personnel and the full cooperation of troop- and police-contributing countries, will also be important ingredients for a safe and orderly drawdown and handover of programmatic responsibilities to UNITAMS, the country team and Government institutions. Similarly, the Government’s ongoing and full cooperation will be critical in establishing UNITAMS in parallel to the closure of UNAMID. Almost 30 staff members have been recruited on a temporary basis for the new mission, and we continue to rely on the Government of the Sudan for the prompt processing of visa requests so as to allow them to take up their duties. In addition, the transfer of UNAMID facilities and equipment to support the establishment of UNITAMS and the work of the country team remains critical. Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to the African Union, which has been our partner in this endeavour. I also commend the efforts of the mission to prepare for a responsible and accountable drawdown and closure so as to safeguard the legacy of the mission and the Organization. I count on the Council’s support in its forthcoming resolution.

I thank Under-Secretaries-General Ms. DiCarlo, Mr. Khare and Mr. Lacroix for their briefings. I will focus on three aspects: the political context, the humanitarian and human rights situation and the prospects for Darfur. First of all, Belgium would like to welcome the progress made by the Sudan in its democratic transition. The signing of the Juba agreements on 3 October was an important step. Belgium nevertheless calls on the parties to continue their commitment through constructive dialogue and to rapidly implement the agreements reached. We call on the groups that remained absent to return to the negotiating table. That is essential to ensure a lasting peace. The informal talks with Abdelaziz Al-Hilu’s group are a step in the right direction. Belgium welcomes the fact that the Juba agreement endorses the importance of justice, accountability and reconciliation for the transition. We welcome the commitment of the parties to transitional justice mechanisms, such as the truth and reconciliation commission and the special court for crimes committed in Darfur. We have noted the intention of the Sudanese authorities to cooperate with the International Criminal Court, whose work we support. Land ownership and use are another crucial issue covered by the Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan. These issues are closely linked to the challenge of the return of internally displaced persons and peacebuilding. Support for reconciliation is one of the strategic priorities of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan. We are encouraged by the preparations for the start of operations of this new mission. As an integrated mission, we hope that it can apply a comprehensive approach in its support for political transition. The European Union (EU) will also provide its political support to the Sudan in a dialogue in the coming weeks. The European Union continues to deliver on the commitments it made at the Sudan Partnership Conference last June, reaffirming the Sudan as a long-term priority partner. Last week’s announcement of an additional humanitarian aid package for Ethiopian refugees fleeing the conflict in Tigray, bringing the total amount of EU humanitarian aid to the Sudan to €65.5 million in 2020, is testimony to that. The humanitarian situation in the Sudan remains of great concern. Displacement caused by tensions between communities is compounded by the impact of severe flooding, the coronavirus pandemic and other infectious diseases. The 45,000 Ethiopian refugees must also be taken into account. Belgium welcomes the work of the humanitarian aid workers who have provided assistance to 8 million people in 2020. Nevertheless, we are appalled by the ongoing serious violations against children in the Sudan, in particular murders and sexual assaults. Moreover, it is unacceptable that groups that signed the peace agreement continue to recruit children. We also call on the Sudanese authorities to stop using schools and hospitals for their military operations. In that regard, we recall the Safe Schools Declaration, which the Sudan endorsed in December 2015. These concerns are in line with the priority we accord to the protection of civilians. This month, the Security Council is due to take a decision on how the mission in Darfur should implement its withdrawal. We note the persistence of S/2020/1183 intercommunal conflicts and armed conflicts involving the Sudan Liberation Army- Abdul Wahid faction, a non-signatory to the peace agreement. We hear the concern of the population at the prospect of the departure of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), while the military and police components of the mission are still carrying out regular patrols. We welcome the commitment of the authorities to taking responsibility for the protection of civilians, including through the deployment of a joint force, and the support of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan for the implementation of the national plan for the protection of civilians. However, these important commitments will take time to materialize on the ground. Belgium therefore calls for caution when discussing the possible closure of UNAMID. The challenge is twofold: to ensure a smooth transfer regarding the protection of civilians from UNAMID to the Sudanese authorities and to avoid losing the gains of so many years of a presence in Darfur.

I thank Under-Secretaries-General DiCarlo, Lacroix and Khare for their briefings. I would like to welcome Ambassador Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, to her new position and to this meeting. The past three months have seen important progress in the Sudanese peace process and political transition and the positive momentum maintained in the range of reforms undertaken by the Government. On the other hand, economic difficulties, the coronavirus disease and widespread floods continue to pose serious challenges to the country’s governance and its people’s lives. The international community should pay more attention and do more to help the Sudan move towards peace and development. In that context, I would like to underscore the following three points. First, the peace agreement should be fully implemented. China welcomes the signing of the Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan between the transitional Government of the Sudan and the other parties and commends South Sudan’s important contribution to that end. This has been a key step forward in the transition process and an important opportunity for the Sudan to achieve comprehensive and lasting peace. China encourages the signatories to the agreement to fulfil their commitments in earnest and to push for the full implementation of the peace agreement and calls on the parties that have not yet signed the agreement to join the peace process as soon as possible. China looks forward to all parties working together to achieve the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding in the Sudan. China supports the United Nations in adjusting the disbursement of the multi-donor trust fund to scale up funding for peacebuilding purposes. Secondly, addressing socioeconomic challenges should be prioritized. The Sudan is faced with a dire economic situation, a lack of fuel and other basic commodities and a record level of inflation. The pandemic and the floods have exacerbated the current difficulties, with more than a fifth of the population facing food shortages and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. China supports the Sudanese Government’s economic and financial reforms, welcomes the adoption of the debt-relief package by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and calls on the international community to prioritize the easing of the country’s debt burden, increase investment in and humanitarian assistance to Sudan and support its socioeconomic development and capacity-building for governance. We also call on the countries concerned to genuinely lift their unilateral coercive measures against the Sudan without delay. As the situation in the Sudan and Darfur gradually improves, the Council should promptly review the sanctions imposed on the Sudan and work out a road map for lifting them. China has provided the Sudan with many shipments of supplies for combating the pandemic and sent medical teams to the country. We will continue to do what we can to help the country achieve sustainable development. Thirdly, an orderly transition from the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) to the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) must be ensured. Over the past 13 years of its deployment, UNAMID has played an important role in promoting the peace process, maintaining stability in Darfur and supporting the reconstruction of that region. It has been an example of the United Nations and the African Union successfully cooperating to solve African problems, and we should draw upon that experience going forward. As the UNAMID mandate ends on 31 December, we S/2020/1183 should remember all its staff members, who have contributed to the improvement of the situation in Darfur over the past 13 years. They have every reason to be happy that UNAMID will have completed its mission so successfully. China looks forward to the handover and orderly transition from UNAMID to UNITAMS. China calls on the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative for the Sudan as soon as possible. UNITAMS should fully take into account the views of the Sudanese Government when performing its duties, act in strict accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council, focus on supporting the core tasks of the Sudan’s political transition process and avoid interfering in the Sudan’s internal affairs. At the same time, it should actively respond to requests of the Sudanese Government, assist the country in promoting sustainable development and mobilize the international community to increase assistance. We have taken note that the advance team for UNITAMS is formulating a comprehensive strategic framework for UNITAMS and other United Nations agencies on the ground. We hope that those entities can work closely together to increase efficiency and avoid stepping on each other’s toes.

We would like to start by thanking Under-Secretaries-General DiCarlo, Lacroix and Khare for their valuable briefings. We welcome the signing of the Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan and the presentation of the national plan on civilian protection, which are vital elements for the new Government and important measures for restoring confidence and regaining stability. Both instruments represent starting points for the protection of civilians and for addressing the root causes of the conflict. There is no doubt that, if the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) is equipped with the right policies, resources, leadership and political support, it will be afforded the opportunity to become an essential tool for the transition in the country. However, to fulfil that task, the Mission requires complete and genuine commitment from the Sudanese Government. UNITAMS support to the Sudanese Government in protecting civilians is vital. All efforts in that regard must be a priority and a shared responsibility. We continue to advocate for UNITAMS to provide new opportunities to broaden the approach to protecting unarmed civilians. However, much remains to be done. Unfortunately, intercommunal violence remains a concern, highlighting the fragility of the political transition and the potential risk of further violence following the withdrawal of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. In addition to being in the midst of that fragile transition, the Sudan faces a deteriorating economic situation, popular mistrust and inadequate judicial mechanisms, all of which is occurring while the country is facing the outbreak of the coronavirus disease pandemic, the effects of historic flooding and increasing humanitarian needs. According to the latest reports, some 65 per cent of Sudanese live below the poverty level and more than 9 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. At the same time, insecurity and human rights violations persist. Women and girls continue to be exposed to sexual violence, both in internally displaced persons camps and throughout the country. In that respect, the Mission’s human rights capabilities will be critical in Darfur. The reporting and monitoring of human rights violations remains essential, as does the establishment of judicial institutions to end the culture of impunity that persists in the Sudan. Accordingly, we welcome the transitional Government’s commitment to cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which was expressed during ICC Prosecutor Bensouda’s high-level visit to the Sudan last October. We continue to advocate in favour of the inclusion of women in the political process. We join with Azza Hasan, coordinator of the Sudanese Women’s Group for Peace and Security, who said that “[t]he revolution came to change concepts”, but that “women and other vulnerable and marginalized groups in the various states of the Sudan have not yet obtained their rights as required”. While recognizing improvements in the protection of women’s rights and gender equality, we reiterate our call for the achievement of 40 per cent representation of women in decision- making processes. Beyond the Mission itself, the Sudan’s political transition remains fragile. Successfully addressing that challenge will require strong commitment and creative S/2020/1183 decision-making. As that process evolves, tangible progress on human rights, social justice, the administration of justice and inclusive governance will ultimately define whether the aspirations of the Sudanese people become a reality. UNITAMS, even with its imperfections, has a real opportunity to become a valuable tool for that purpose, with the support of the international community and such regional bodies as the African Union.

I join others in thanking the briefers for their insightful overviews. Allow me also to extend a very warm welcome to the new Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Dame Barbara Woodward. I look forward to working with her on the Sudan as well as on other matters on the Security Council’s agenda. Despite multiple challenges, including the coronavirus disease pandemic, the Sudan has made great efforts to succeed with its historic transition. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) be fully operational at the earliest opportunity to support the country in its efforts, and particularly in the four mandated strategic areas. First, it is crucial that the Sudan receive the support of UNITAMS in order to progress with the political transition to democracy. In that regard, the focus should be on institution-building, as strong institutions form the backbone of democracy. We would like to acknowledge the Sudan for the significant steps it has already taken and would encourage the country to continue on that path of reform and institution-building. Secondly, we congratulate the Sudan on the signing of the Juba peace agreement on 3 October. The implementation of the agreement now becomes key, and the support of UNITAMS in its implementation cannot be overemphasized. I would also like to underscore the importance of the inclusion of women in that process. In addition, we call on the parties that have not yet joined the peace agreement to do so urgently. Thirdly, it is critical for the Sudan to receive the support of UNITAMS in assisting with peacebuilding, the protection of civilians and the rule of law. In that regard, we welcome the willingness of the Sudan to address civilian protection head on, but also recognize some of the capacity constraints where the United Nations can be helpful. Fourthly, given the economic hardship that the Sudan has seen in 2020, it is crucial for UNITAMS, together with international financial institutions, to put their full weight behind supporting the economic recovery. We would also like to welcome the intention to remove the Sudan from the list of State sponsors of terrorism. UNITAMS was established with the sole purpose of supporting the Sudan during its historic transition. It is very important for that messaging to be communicated clearly and through meaningful action to the Sudanese people. Given the immense challenges that the Sudan is facing, it is crucial that UNITAMS have sufficient capacity and adequate resources and be fit for purpose to offer support in all areas in which the Sudan needs it. We also reiterate our call to have the Special Representative of the Secretary-General appointed at the earliest opportunity. Allow me now to turn to the topic of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). By the end of December, the Security Council will have to make a decision about the future of UNAMID. Estonia supports a responsible withdrawal that is not politicized but based on the needs on the ground. Rushing the withdrawal risks losing the significant gains made by UNAMID over the years. Lastly, I would like to express our deep appreciation to the Sudan for offering its generous support to the Ethiopian refugees who are fleeing the fighting and violence in the Tigray region. Those actions prove once again why we must invest S/2020/1183 in a stable, strong and prosperous Sudan, as it gives so much back to the region. The international community must spare no effort to offer its support for the aspirations of the Sudanese people to achieve democracy, peace and prosperity.

I would like to begin by thanking Ms. DiCarlo, Mr. Lacroix and Mr. Khare for their briefings. I would like to emphasize three points. First, France’s priority remains supporting the democratic transition in the Sudan. I pay tribute to the political will that the transitional Government continues to demonstrate in a context of increasing difficulties. That is reflected in the pursuit of institutional, economic and financial reforms, as well the efforts to begin the implementation of the Juba peace agreement. I refer in particular to the Government’s efforts to engage in discussions with all parties. We call on those who remain outside the peace process to join it without further delay. We further welcome the Sudan’s efforts to tackle impunity and ensure respect for human rights, particularly through cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Criminal Court. The planned ratification of two important conventions, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, is extremely encouraging. Those advances must of course be followed up by tangible action. We hope that the procedure for removing the Sudan from the United States list of State sponsors of terrorism will be completed as soon as possible. That is indeed a crucial step towards achieving a successful democratic transition. As President Emmanuel Macron has promised, France will organize a high-level conference to support the Sudanese transition as soon as the Sudan is removed from that list. The event could be held in the first half of 2021. A number of challenges further compound the difficulties of the transition itself. The acceptance of reforms has been weakened by economic difficulties, and the humanitarian situation has worsened in connection with the persistence of insecurity in Darfur, the effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic, the effects of the floods and the situation in Ethiopia. As such, we welcome the Sudan’s efforts to host nearly 50,000 Ethiopian refugees in eastern Sudan. The mobilization of humanitarian assistance from all United Nations agencies and the Sudan’s international partners is absolutely necessary. France, together with its European partners and the European Union, will of course play its full part. In that context — and this will be my last point — France supports the swift operationalization of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) and the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General to continue United Nations support on the ground. In Darfur, the transition from the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) to UNITAMS should be carried out in an orderly fashion. France recognizes the willingness of the Sudanese authorities to assume full responsibility for the protection of civilians in Darfur and encourages the Government to continue implementing its national plan for the protection of civilians, with the assistance of UNITAMS. Yet civilians, particularly women and children, continue to face violence on the ground. The continuation of peacebuilding activities is also indispensable for building trust among populations who remain traumatized by the level of insecurity.Lastly, it is necessary to accelerate capacity-building and support the implementation of the peace process. In that regard, the participation of women is of course a major issue, as many speakers have stated. It is the responsibility of the Security Council to ensure that UNAMID’s withdrawal takes due account of the reality on the ground and all of its challenges, as it has always done for its peacekeeping operations. In that regard, I would like to thank Mr. Lacroix and Mr. Khare for setting out in detail the prerequisites of a process that the Security Council must now identify.

Let me start my intervention by picking up where Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, left off. We are at a critical juncture with regard to the Sudan. The transition process could still derail, which makes it necessary that we look seriously at the situation. There are enormous challenges for the Government of Prime Minister Hamdok. At this stage, I would like to once again underline Germany’s full support for the Government. We want the Government to succeed, and we will do everything from our side to make that possible. The difficulties of the transitional institutions in meeting their deadlines are depressing to hear once again. With regard to gender equality and women’s representation, the transitional bodies are not meeting the expectations that we have voiced repeatedly here in the Security Council. That is really frustrating. We know that peace processes work only when more women are involved. Again and again, we have been let down — but more important, civil society and women have been let down. The situation is very difficult in the Sudan: the floods, the harvest, the coronavirus disease, additional illnesses owing to the floods and 50,000 refugees from the Tigray region. I commend the Government of the Sudan for what it has been doing to accommodate the refugees under difficult circumstances. As if that were not enough, I read the daily press briefing by the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General this morning concerning the report (S/2020/1155) of infighting over the control of gold mines, attacks against Government forces and 27,000 displaced persons. The situation is very difficult. Therefore, we have been a driving force, together with our British friends, in supplying United Nations help and seeing to it that the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) actually takes up its work. I am very encouraged by what I heard from both Ms. DiCarlo and Mr. Lacroix with regard to the build-up of UNITAMS. I think it is very important that, from the very first day, UNITAMS be able to do the work that we have designed here as it supports the Government. It is very good that it is a fully integrated team. Germany will support it with additional voluntary contributions and personnel. With regard to the drawdown of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), Mr. President, you will recall that I recently raised the issue that it is very important that the Council make a decision on the drawdown of UNAMID. We heard that from the three briefers, in particular from Mr. Khare. I would like to thank him again for outlining all the challenges that we face in the immediate drawdown. We therefore have to coordinate with the Sudanese authorities who will take over the protection of civilians. We might see a situation where security incidents occur and our Blue Helmets would not able to intervene if we do not provide them with a legal basis to complete their drawdown. What kind of an impression would we leave on the population if we had Blue Helmets sitting there and not doing anything? Furthermore, we heard that there is resistance from the local authorities against allowing the drawdown. Some months ago, we heard reports about the looting of United Nations premises that were supposed to go to Sudanese educational institutions. We cannot allow that to happen again, because it would tarnish the image of the Government, the United Nations and the Security Council.Therefore, my plea again to you, Mr. President, is to have a serious look at our obligation as the Security Council. We have to make a decision on the drawdown. We have to decide how to cooperate with the Sudanese Government in the most effective way possible in order to cope with all the challenges we face. I like the proposal of Mr. Khare, which is to have a coordination mechanism that looks at all those questions. But we have to mandate it. We have to assume our responsibility. We cannot just let UNAMID go.

Allow me to begin by welcoming our new colleague, the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, Ambassador Barbara Woodward. I will be reading out the joint statement of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Security Council — Indonesia and Viet Nam. We would first like to thank the briefers for their comprehensive briefings. Our two delegations commend the commitment of the Government of the Sudan to implementing its national plan for the protection of civilians. We are confident that, following the historic peace agreement, advancement towards a peaceful and prosperous Sudan will take place with greater momentum. Against that background, we would like to highlight three important points. The first is continued cooperation with the region. As members of ASEAN, we firmly believe in the virtue of regional cooperation to support peacebuilding. We acknowledge the role of the Government of South Sudan, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union in the Sudan’s transition and call for the continuation of such cooperation in the Sudan after the drawdown of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). We emphasize that a smooth transition to the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) can be achieved only through close coordination among the United Nations, the Government of the Sudan, the African Union and IGAD in order to preserve the gains achieved for long-term peace and development in the Sudan. The second point entails improving the security and economic situation. We echo the Secretary-General’s observation that peace in the Sudan will be complete only once all conflicts come to an end. We are concerned about the persistent intercommunal violence and civil unrest in numerous parts of the country, as well as the incident between protesters and UNAMID formed police units in El Fasher on 16 November. The peace agreement has to be felt by all Sudanese. For them to feel confident in the transition, they need to feel safe and all violence should end. In that regard, we welcome the cooperation between the Government and the Sudan with UNAMID, including through joint patrols by UNAMID and the Sudan Police Force. We look forward to the continuation of that exercise until the termination of UNAMID’s mandate. It is important for that spirit of cooperation to continue with UNITAMS. At the same time, the international community should also strengthen its efforts to support economic development in the country, which is facing critical challenges due to the coronavirus disease pandemic, heavy flooding and other natural disasters. The Government has been facing a budget deficit of approximately $250 million per month. In that regard, the Sudan’s access to international financial assistance, investment and debt relief should be further facilitated. The third point concerns ensuring full support to both UNITAMS and UNAMID. We welcome last October’s Tripartite Coordination Mechanism meeting among the United Nations, the African Union and the Government of the Sudan. That is a testament to the commitment of the Government of the Sudan to ensuring a smooth drawdown of UNAMID and transition to UNITAMS.As troop- and police-contributing countries to UNAMID and other United Nations peacekeeping missions, Indonesia and Viet Nam emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety, security and well-being of all peacekeepers during the liquidation process. The same support should also be rendered to UNITAMS in ensuring the full implementation of its mandate. We would also like to emphasize the importance of the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary- General for the Sudan in accordance with resolution 2524 (2020). To conclude, our two delegations once again emphasize our firm commitment in supporting the Sudan in its transition towards permanent peace, security and prosperity.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of African countries on the Security Council — the Niger, South Africa and Tunisia — as well as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (A3+1). The A3+1 thanks the Secretary-General for his reports on the situation in the Sudan and the activities of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) (S/2020/1155) and on the drawdown of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and a follow-on presence (S/2020/1115). We would also like to thank Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo and Mr. Atul Khare for their briefings and efforts in support of the ongoing peace process in the Sudan. Our statement focuses on three main points — the political and security situation; the socioeconomic and humanitarian situation; and the issue of coordinating the transition to the establishment of UNITAMS following the drawdown of UNAMID. First, with regard to the political and security situation, the A3+1 welcomes the initiatives that led to the signing of the Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan on 3 October. Despite lingering challenges, the signing of the Agreement demonstrates the willingness of the parties to the conflict to strive for lasting peace in the Sudan, under the auspices of the transitional Government. To that end, we call on all signatories and partners of the Sudan to honour their obligations to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the Agreement, which would include progress on issues such as gender equality, the protection of human rights and the rule of law. The ongoing peacebuilding process requires all parties to commit to the Agreement and to work actively to clarify and address all outstanding issues. That would facilitate the mobilization of the trust fund integrating the strategic, technical and planning dimensions of activities in support of the peacebuilding process. We commend the collaboration of the African Union and the United Nations as well as the leading role played by subregional bodies and neighbouring countries, namely, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and South Sudan, in the peace process. In addition, the upsurge in intercommunal violence and the clashes between Government forces and certain armed groups that remain outside the Agreement attest to the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of the conflicts, in particular poverty and unemployment. In that regard, we call on Abdul Wahid Al-Nur to join the peace process as soon as possible in order to give comprehensive and inclusive peace a chance in the Sudan. On the socioeconomic and humanitarian front, the A3+1 welcomes the economic and financial reforms undertaken, despite the difficulties related to the coronavirus disease pandemic. We call on the Government and partners of the Sudan to build on the conclusions of the national economic conference held in Khartoum from 26 to 28 September. I am pleased to note that the United States decision to remove the Sudan from the list of State sponsors of terrorism will, as we have always S/2020/1183 emphasized, promote the Sudan’s economic and social development through access to international development financial institutions. The humanitarian situation in the Sudan is further exacerbated by the economic crisis; food insecurity; the adverse effects of climate change, as illustrated by the worst floods the country has experienced since 1988; epidemics; intercommunal violence; the prolonged displacement of populations; and the influx of refugees from neighbouring States. The current situation, which affects just over 9.6 million people, demands that we demonstrate our responsibility and solidarity with the Sudan with a view to mitigating the impact of the humanitarian situation on its ongoing peacebuilding process. It also illustrates once again the interdependence between security and development. Regarding the coordination between the establishment of UNITAMS and the drawdown of UNAMID, the A3+1 commends the transitional Government of the Sudan for its collaboration with, and support for, the UNITAMS planning team in facilitating a coordinated transition between the two missions. We believe that the situation on the ground and the arrangements put in place by the transitional Government to ensure stability and the protection of people and property in Darfur are such that UNAMID should begin the drawdown process and hand over to UNITAMS as of 31 December, in accordance with resolution 2525 (2020). In conclusion, it should be noted that the acknowledgement in the Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan of concerns such as the ratification of international conventions on the protection and promotion of human rights, transitional justice and the implementation by the Government of a national plan for the protection of civilians offer hope for a coordinated transition between the two missions. In that connection, we call on all of the Sudan’s partners to join the country in a successful transition through the organization of democratic elections.

At the outset, allow me to welcome the new Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, Ambassador Barbara Woodward. We look forward to fruitful cooperation with her in the Security Council, including on the issue of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). We thank the Under-Secretaries-General — Ms. DiCarlo, Mr. Lacroix and Mr. Khare — for their informative briefings. We agree that the Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan, signed on 3 October, provides a unique opportunity to ensure long-term stabilization in the country and the transition to progressive development. We are heartened to see that the Sudanese authorities stand ready to directly address the issues that constitute the root causes of conflicts, including in Darfur. The significant progress made in the implementation of the Agreement over the past two months attests to that fact. We would like to recall that the success of the negotiation process is largely attributable to South Sudanese mediation efforts, including the personal efforts of President Salva Kiir Mayardit. Moreover, the progress made towards establishing friendly, neighbourly relations between the two countries is expected to have a positive impact on the entire East Africa region, once again proving the effectiveness of the formula “African solutions to African problems”. The Sudan is dealing with complex challenges that have only been exacerbated during the coronavirus pandemic. Decisive measures must be taken in order to restore the economy and implement peacebuilding initiatives. In that connection, it is vital that UNITAMS reach its full capacity as swiftly as possible. Khartoum is expecting the global community to provide all the support and assistance required in a timely manner. We have carefully studied the analysis of the situation in Darfur contained in the recent joint report of the African Union and the United Nations (S/2020/1155). We agree with the recommendation to terminate the mandate of the African Union- United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on 31 December. We believe that the views of the Sudanese authorities must be prioritized when addressing the parameters of peacekeepers’ withdrawal and in making arrangements for the operation of UNITAMS. The situation in Darfur has not undergone any significant negative shifts. Intercommunal clashes in certain states have not altered the overall landscape. The well-coordinated and prompt response of authorities to all such incidents, as well as the national strategy for the protection of civilians that is currently being implemented, once again point to Khartoum’s earnest intent to take a comprehensive approach to stabilization. UNAMID has successfully met all its mandated tasks. It is high time that we focused on the economic revival of the region, which is the principal objective of the support that UNITAMS will provide. We also hope that the modalities for the transfer of assets and support capacities from UNAMID to UNITAMS will soon be finalized. We consider it most pertinent to recall that Abdul Wahid Al-Nur, who is responsible for antagonizing the Sudan Liberation Army in the Jebel Marra area, S/2020/1183 remains the major spoiler of the peace process. He has refused to join the Agreement and to engage in dialogue with Khartoum. We reiterate our call to those with any influence over that supposedly irreconcilable spoiler to exert due pressure upon him.

I wish to thank Under-Secretaries-General DiCarlo, Lacroix and Khare for their briefings. I would like to start by commending the commitment of the civilian-led Government of the Sudan to continuing to make welcome progress towards its goal of becoming a fully democratic State. Prime Minister Hamdok and his Government have implemented a number of critical reforms. Of particular note is the removal of fuel subsidies and progress towards the ratification of key international human rights norms. We urge the Government of the Sudan to continue on this path by implementing all necessary economic reforms and ensuring full respect for fundamental human rights. The United Kingdom also applauds the signing of the Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan on 3 October. This agreement is a clear demonstration of the priorities of the new Sudan. We urge all stakeholders to support this promise of peace through the swift and full implementation of the agreement. We take note of the requests in the agreement for United Nations support and call for further engagement between the Government and the United Nations in this regard. Whilst significant steps have been taken to overcome a multitude of challenges, as we have heard, much more remains to be done. Exacerbated by the coronavirus disease, the economic situation has continued to deteriorate. Humanitarian needs are increasing, and violence has spiked in conflict areas. Regarding the socioeconomic situation, the United Kingdom welcomes the World Bank and International Monetary Fund support for Government efforts to alleviate the dire economic situation. The World Bank’s support of the Sudan Family Support Programme will help mitigate the negative impact of some of the economic reforms. As the largest bilateral donor to the programme, we are playing our part with a pledge of $105 million. Turning to the security situation, the United Kingdom welcomes the Government’s commitment to fulfilling its protection of civilian responsibilities and to ensuring unfettered humanitarian access. However, we cannot ignore the significant security challenges that remain. Persistent intercommunal violence, as well as intermittent clashes between the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid and Government forces, are continuing. We echo the Secretary-General’s call for the Government of the Sudan to expedite its preparations to protect civilians in line with its national protection of civilians strategy. As the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) prepares to withdraw, we urge the Government to develop more responsive and representative rule of law institutions in order to build trust with local populations and ensure stability in conflict areas. The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) was established to support the Sudan’s transition. The delays in appointing a Special Representative of the Secretary-General to lead UNITAMS are preventing the provision of such support. We urge the Secretariat to conclude the appointment process and continue to work with the Government of the Sudan to expedite the full establishment of UNITAMS throughout the Sudan.I commend the continued support that UNAMID is providing to the Government of the Sudan, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding and capacity-building. We call on the United Nations, working with the Government of the Sudan and the country team, to ensure that the transition from UNAMID to UNITAMS is responsible, sequenced and sustainable. In this regard, let me reiterate the Council’s expectation that UNITAMS and its integrated country team be the primary beneficiaries of UNAMID assets. I would like to briefly comment on the impact of the conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, on the Sudan. We commend the Sudan’s commitment to enabling humanitarian access to refugees fleeing the violence in Tigray. Funding from the United Kingdom is already helping new refugees from Ethiopia to receive emergency assistance. However, more is needed. We encourage Member States to support the United Nations in assisting the Sudan to respond to these increased needs. Finally, as this is the last meeting on the Sudan before its Council tenure ends, let me express our thanks to Germany for its excellent co-penholdership over the past two years. Germany’s commitment to peace and stability is unwavering, and we look forward to continuing our close partnership in support of the Sudan.

I welcome Ambassador Barbara Woodward to the Council. I am so excited that I will be able to spend at least a couple weeks with her and welcome her. We are very excited to have her here and looking forward to working alongside here. I also thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Under-Secretary-General LaCroix so much for their remarks today. Three months ago, we met to discuss the latest developments in the Sudan and the role of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). At that time, the Sudan’s transitional Government and opposition groups had just signed the ambitious Juba Agreement for Peace in the Sudan. That agreement set the groundwork for long-term peace, justice and stability for those who, for far too long, have endured atrocities and cycles of violence and atrocities. As we said then, the United States is encouraged by the willingness of the parties to this agreement to come to the table in a spirit of good faith to address the long-standing causes of instability and conflict in Sudan. However, we remain deeply concerned about the situation on the ground. As the Secretary-General details in his most recent report (S/2020/1155), spikes in civil unrest, insecurity in Darfur and ongoing ethnic and tribal clashes in Eastern Sudan signal a difficult path forward. Failure to address the root causes of conflict could upend the Juba agreement and reverse recent progress. One step in the right direction is the Sudanese Government’s national plan for the protection of civilians. The United States is particularly encouraged by the plan’s outline for developing an early-warning system and devising specific nomadic routes. However, we recognize the limitations the transitional Government faces in trying to implement the plan. As they proceed, we encourage the transitional Government to engage in robust outreach, transparent information-sharing and consultations with affected communities. UNITAMS, in particular, can play a valuable role in supporting civilian protection efforts and helping with the political transition and peace processes. But the Mission cannot truly deliver on its mandate if it lacks leadership. We encourage the appointment of a Special Representative to begin leading UNITAMS as soon as possible. Six months is far too long to have existed without leadership, especially given the needs on the ground. With the anticipated departure of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) from the Sudan, it is vital that its drawdown occur in a responsible manner and that there be a smooth transition to the new special political mission. There are key UNAMID responsibilities that should continue under UNITAMS and are within its mandate, including robust training of police, rule of law support and other issues listed in the Juba agreement. The United States is committed to supporting the transitional Government. We anticipate that the Sudan’s State sponsors of terrorism designation will be rescinded very soon, based on the President’s certification that the Sudan has met the necessary statutory criteria. We are confident that this development will herald a new phase in the relationship between the Sudan and the United States and open new and expanded opportunities in the Sudan’s relationship with the international community.Lastly, we commend the Sudanese people for their generosity in welcoming their Ethiopian neighbours. It is heartening and so reassuring to see people who are already facing significant challenges themselves embracing humanity and sharing what they have.