S/PV.9041 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Sudan to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary- General for the Sudan and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2022/400, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Sudan and the activities of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan. I now give the floor to Mr. Perthes. Mr. Perthes: I am grateful for the opportunity to brief the Security Council once again on the situation in the Sudan. Since I last briefed the Council (see S/PV.9006), the overall situation has remained precarious, with much at stake, including the Sudan’s political, social and economic stability. Time is short for the Sudanese to reach a political solution to forge a way out of this crisis. Following the establishment of a trilateral mechanism to facilitate intra-Sudanese talks, the African Union (AU), envoys from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and I have stated that those talks can succeed only in a conducive environment. We have also said that it is up to the Sudanese, particularly the authorities, to create that environment. And indeed, since I last briefed the Council on this subject in March, some positive steps have been taken in that regard. From late March through today, the Sudanese authorities have released 86 detainees, including high-profile officials affiliated with the work of the Committee to Dismantle the 30 June 1989 Regime and Retrieve Public Funds, and violence by security forces against protesters appears to have decreased overall, even if violations, regretfully, still occur. I have commended the recent release of detainees as an important step towards creating conducive conditions and rebuilding trust. However, approximately 110 persons reportedly remain in detention in Khartoum, Port Sudan and elsewhere. On Saturday, another protester was killed by security forces. If the authorities want to build trust, it is essential that those responsible for violence against protesters be held to account. It is time for all violence to end. We have urged the authorities to reach out to the public and make clear that they support dialogue as the only way to a reach a political solution. Let me use this forum to call on the military leadership and the Sovereign Council to make an announcement that, in order to make this dialogue happen, they will release the remaining detainees, cease arbitrary arrests and, importantly, lift the state of emergency, without limitations. Demands for change and for the restoration of the democratic transitional process continue, with largely peaceful protests. Moreover, a growing number of Sudanese parties and political coalitions have come forward with initiatives to solve the political crisis. The resistance committees in Khartoum state have completed their political charter and are engaging in dialogue with committees in the other states. As the Sudan continues to confront further uncertainty, there is a shared sense of urgency, and many parties are seeking common ground and are increasingly open to dialogue. There is also growing recognition of the need for civilian-military dialogue on a way out of the crisis, and there is more public debate around this issue. Against that backdrop, the trilateral mechanism of the AU, the United Nations and IGAD held initial talks with key components of Sudanese society and the political scene throughout April, the month of Ramadan. That included political parties and coalitions, representatives from resistance committees, youth, the military, armed groups, Sufi leaders, women’s groups and academics. The aim was to canvass the views of the stakeholders on the substance and format of a Sudanese-led and -owned talks. Almost all components have shown willingness to engage positively with our facilitation efforts. At the same time, some key stakeholders continue to reject face-to-face talks with other counterparts or prefer to participate indirectly. In the aftermath of the initial release of detainees and a reduction in violence, we therefore began a process of indirect substantive talks between the parties on 12 May. Core issues include the terms and composition of key constitutional organs, the future relationship between the military and civilian components and the mechanism and criteria for the selection of a Prime Minister. Forging shared understandings around those issues will help chart a way out of the crisis and address the institutional vacuum left in the wake of the coup. Once a sufficiently conducive environment is in place, the trilateral mechanism will convene the key stakeholders around a negotiating table. That can and should happen without further delay. But I want to make it clear that there are also spoilers who do not want a transition to democracy or who refuse a solution through dialogue. The Sudanese parties should not allow them to undermine the opportunity of finding a negotiated exit to the crisis and thereby enabling an agreed-upon Government to be appointed with a work programme for the remainder of the transition period. I also want to say that the trilateral mechanism is robustly supporting the inclusion of women in the political process. We strongly encourage the parties to include at least 40 per cent women in their delegations, which is in line with the Sudan’s Constitutional Document. At the same time, via a Sudanese-led process, we have facilitated the inclusion of a delegation of women from all over the Sudan, who bring together expertise, legitimacy from their own communities and diversity in terms of age, regional background and political orientation. The lack of a political agreement and of a fully functional Government so far is also affecting the security situation. Recent events in Darfur, including the destruction and displacement in Kreinik locality and the ongoing violence in El Geneina between 22 and 26 April, have once again exposed the deficiencies in the State’s ability to provide security and protection for civilians. I briefed this Council on those events in closed consultations on 27 April. Since that briefing, relative calm has been restored to the area. Government forces and several high-level delegations were deployed to address the violence, and a cessation of hostilities agreement was signed in El Geneina on 29 April between the conflicting Arab and Masalit communities. The Permanent Ceasefire Committee, chaired by the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), has engaged to de-escalate tensions and has launched an investigation into possible ceasefire violations in the context of those events following the submission of formal complaints by the parties. The risk of a new outbreak of violence nonetheless remains high. Despite the tragic nature of those events and the heinous crimes committed against civilians, it was encouraging to see that armed groups and the regular forces have accepted the notion of using the Permanent Ceasefire Committee as a joint institution to resolve the conflict. Ultimately, the protection of civilians requires that the root causes of the conflict be addressed, including problems related to decades-long marginalization, land issues and the return of internally displaced persons and refugees. In the meantime, however, physical protection must be provided, and must be a priority for the Sudanese Government and for the regional and state Governments in Darfur. UNITAMS continues to regularly advise and train members of the Sudanese Police Force in community policing, sexual and gender-based violence protection and the protection of civilians more generally. The Sudanese authorities have also made significant progress in setting up the joint security-keeping force in Darfur, as provided for in the Juba Peace Agreement. A first batch of 2,000 personnel from signatory armed movements will complete their 90-day training at the end of this month and be deployed to North, West and South Darfur. The Government has agreed to give them a regular salary on a par with that of the soldiers of the Sudanese Armed Forces once they graduate. In addition, a group of 80 officers has been selected from that batch to receive further training and then be integrated into the regular forces. My Mission is currently providing training to non-commissioned officers from that group on human rights, international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. Going forward, adequate logistical support will be required to operationalize the assembly areas for armed groups and make further progress on the deployment of the joint security-keeping forces. Once a political agreement is reached, additional material support will be required from the international community to implement other aspects of the Juba Peace Agreement, including key protocols that address the root causes of the conflict. The political stalemate continues to exact a heavy socioeconomic toll. Humanitarian needs are growing, and they are having a significant impact on the most vulnerable. That, coupled with global geopolitical factors, continues to drive up prices for basic goods in the Sudan. In April, staple food prices increased by an average of 15 per cent compared to the previous month and remained 250 per cent higher than last year. The combined effects of political instability, economic crisis, poor harvests and global supply shocks are having a disastrous impact on inflation and the affordability of food. The number of Sudanese facing acute hunger is projected to double to about 18 million by September this year. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has allocated $20 million for this from its Central Emergency Response Fund, and donors continue to provide humanitarian assistance. However, the 2022 humanitarian response plan has been funded at only an abysmal 13 per cent. In the absence of a political agreement to restore constitutional legitimacy, much international development assistance and engagement by international financial institutions has remained on pause. Some donors have also placed restrictions on assistance that goes through State systems to reach public-sector workers such as teachers and health-care providers. While the primary responsibility for changing those dynamics lies with the Sudanese stakeholders, I am concerned about the long-term consequences as we watch the further erosion of the Sudan’s already fragile State capacity and human capital. The Sudan also runs the risk that critical assistance from the International Development Association’s 19 funding programme, which had been allocated to the Sudan as part of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, will be reallocated to other countries by the end of June if a political solution to the crisis is not reached. Additionally, some donor States have warned that international financial support for the Sudanese Government, including debt relief, will not resume without a credible civilian Government. If a solution to the current impasse is not found, the consequences will be felt beyond the Sudan’s borders and for an entire generation. That is a message that I and the two Envoys continue to convey to Sudanese interlocutors. Ultimately, it is up to the Sudanese to agree on a way out of the crisis. The crisis facing the Sudan is home-grown and can be resolved only by the Sudanese. A solution is needed. Most Sudanese stakeholders realize that the geopolitical environment is becoming more challenging and that the gaze of the international community has been deflected from the Sudan. They therefore expect the trilateral mechanism to facilitate the difficult process of finding a consensus on a path out of the crisis. Too much is at stake, and too many hopes and aspirations are affected. I urge the Sudanese to seize this opportunity. I remain grateful for the support of the international community, and particularly the members of the Council, for our efforts.

I thank Mr. Perthes for his briefing. I would like to draw the attention of speakers to paragraph 22 of the latest note by the President of the Security Council (S/2017/507) on its working methods, which encourages all participants in Council meetings to deliver their statements in five minutes or less, in line with the Security Council’s commitment to making more effective use of open meetings. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his briefing and for the continued work that he and his team are doing in the most difficult of circumstances. I would also like to welcome our new Sudanese colleague and the participation of the Sudanese delegation in today’s meeting. I would like to make three points in response to what we have just heard today. First, the United Kingdom regrets the lack of progress in resolving the political crisis created by the coup d’état of 25 October. We deplore the fact that almost 100 protesters have been killed since October and urge an immediate end to the violence. We fully support the joint efforts of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to facilitate a Sudanese-led process to resolve the political crisis. For that to be successful, the Sudanese military needs to make progress on confidence-building measures, including the release of all political detainees, an end to the excessive use of force against protesters and the lifting of the state of emergency. We urge all Sudanese stakeholders to engage in good faith with the tripartite process and make the compromises needed to realize the Sudanese people’s legitimate demands for freedom, peace and justice. Secondly, I want to emphasize that this is not a matter that concerns only the Sudan’s political elites. Political progress will be vital to alleviating the economic hardship and humanitarian suffering of the Sudanese people. The restoration of a credible civilian- led Government will create the conditions for much- needed economic reforms and for international support, including debt relief, to resume. But as the political crisis drags on, the scale and intensity of the violence across the Sudan, including in Darfur, has also increased. We welcome the efforts made by the signatories to the Juba Peace Agreement to stand up the joint security- keeping force and, with the support of UNITAMS, to operationalize the Permanent Ceasefire Committee in Darfur. However, further steps are urgently needed to fully implement the Juba Peace Agreement and address the root causes of conflict if Darfur is to achieve sustainable peace. Thirdly, I would like to emphasize that UNITAMS has the full support of the United Kingdom in its efforts to implement all of its mandated tasks. We look forward to working with Council members to renew the mandate in the coming weeks. The mandate should reflect the realities in the Sudan and enable UNITAMS to provide the support that the Sudan requires. UNITAMS can provide that support only in partnership with the Sudan. We therefore call on the Sudanese authorities, through a return to a civilian-led transition, to ensure that the right structures and interlocutors are in place for a productive and sustainable partnership. In conclusion, the Council is committed to supporting the Sudanese people in their journey to democracy and ending conflict after decades of misrule and violence. The United Kingdom will continue to uphold its commitments and urges full support for the joint United Nations-African Union-IGAD process as the best way to deliver that.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council — Gabon, Ghana and my own country, Kenya (A3). I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Volker Perthes, for his briefing and welcome the participation of the representative of the Sudan in today’s meeting. As we meet today, the Sudan continues to experience serious economic, security and political challenges that have created a situation of uncertainty regarding the future. The patience and resilience of the Sudanese people continue to be tested. The hopes and aspirations that accompanied the adoption of the 2019 Constitutional Declaration and the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement are waning. However, the people of the Sudan have a long history of tolerance of one another and of commitment to seeking home-grown solutions in difficult times. The A3 therefore remains confident that they will find a quick solution to the current political impasse in a manner that safeguards its national security and that of the region. The focus of our statement is on four issues — the situations on the political, security and economic fronts, and the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). With regard to the political situation, the A3 welcomes the commencement of the second phase of the intra-Sudanese dialogue with the facilitation of the trilateral mechanism of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. We take note that significant ground was covered during the first phase of consultations, facilitated by UNITAMS. The A3 appeals to all Sudanese actors, civilian and military, to take advantage of that platform and move expeditiously and unconditionally to dialogue and to agreeing on a viable democratic transition. The Sudanese authorities have a fundamental responsibility to create an environment conducive to viable political dialogue. We welcome the release of some political detainees as a critical confidence-building measure in that regard. We emphasize the imperative for the dialogue to be inclusive and to give special consideration to the participation of women and youth, who were the pillars of the 2019 revolution, as well as other marginalized groups and communities. On the security front, the A3 remains deeply concerned about the recurrent outbreaks of intercommunal violence in Darfur and other parts of the country. While we welcome the steps taken by the Government of the Sudan to respond to the situation, more efforts are needed to sustainably address the root causes of the conflicts. In that regard, we urge the Government and all the parties involved to expedite the implementation of all activities and programmes under the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians and the Juba Peace Agreement. We urge the international community to continue to extend much-needed diplomatic, technical, financial and logistical support in that regard. We welcome the progress made on the Permanent Ceasefire Committee and the joint security- keeping force, including the assembling and initial training of the 2,000 members of armed movements in Darfur. The A3 is also deeply concerned about the rapid deterioration of economic conditions and the worsening humanitarian situation in the country. Indeed, the lack of progress on the political track risks wiping out the initial gains made through economic and structural reforms. The already dire humanitarian situation in the Sudan has been aggravated by the economic crisis, the adverse effects of climate change, food insecurity, the rise in the number of cases of coronavirus disease  — with only 7 per cent of a population of 46 million fully vaccinated  — intercommunal violence, the prolonged displacement of populations and a refugee crisis. The A3 joins the appeal by the Secretary-General for exceptional modalities to support vulnerable communities and protect human and social capital through continued international assistance for the Sudan. We commend the efforts of the international humanitarian donors continuing to provide vital assistance. We urge the Sudanese authorities to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to all in need, especially in the conflict-affected regions. During this time of a global food crisis, and as we wait and hope for the political track to bear fruit, the A3 urges the international donor community and international financial institutions to reconsider the temporary suspension of aid to the Sudan and to continue their support programmes and projects to sustain the lives and livelihoods of the civilian population. Last but not least, in view of the current circumstances, the A3 believes that the UNITAMS mandate remains valid and relevant. We therefore support the renewal of the mandate, including its four main objectives. What is critical is for the Council to build the Mission’s capacity to effectively and efficiently implement its mandate. We call on UNITAMS to continue working closely with the Sudanese authorities to facilitate the expeditious implementation of the identified plans and programmes. We also reiterate that all programmes and initiatives should be determined based on the needs and priorities identified by the Sudan. In conclusion, the A3 reaffirms its solidarity with the people of the Sudan and expresses its commitment to continuing to support their endeavour to achieve sustainable peace, security and greater economic development.

At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Perthes, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his briefing on the latest developments in the Sudan and for his tireless efforts. We reaffirm the importance of the joint work of the United Nations Integrated Transition Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in facilitating the indirect intra-Sudanese talks that started this month. We also welcome the Permanent Representative of the Sudan, Ambassador Mohamed, to his first Council meeting. As we consider the renewal of the UNITAMS mandate in early June, on which we look forward to constructive consultations, we would like to share three key observations. First, regarding the political process, the United Arab Emirates welcomes the concerted tripartite efforts to engage with Sudanese political parties and stakeholders. That approach demonstrates the potential for the active engagement of regional actors in helping Sudanese stakeholders to forge a common understanding and build consensus on the main tracks of the Sudan’s transitional process, which include transitional constitutional arrangements, the selection of a Prime Minister and Cabinet, Government programmes and an electoral timeline. We also view the recent release of several political detainees as a step towards building trust and confidence between the Sudanese parties and helping to pave the way for the indirect talks between them. We stress the importance of ensuring the meaningful participation of women and young people throughout the process in order to enable the transitional period to make sustainable progress. The United Arab Emirates also emphasizes that the process must remain Sudanese-owned and -led so that it can truly fulfil the aspirations of the Sudanese people. Secondly, in light of the alarming economic situation, we believe that debt-relief packages and development assistance from international financial institutions and other international donors remain critical to preventing the Sudan’s economy from collapsing. As the international community considers how best to assist the Sudan through the political process, we must ensure that the urgency of the current economic situation is taken into account, especially given its severe impact on the lives and livelihoods of the Sudanese people. The United Nations estimates that 39 per cent of the Sudan’s population will be food-insecure by September, while the existing humanitarian response plan is currently only 10 per cent funded. In addition, the continued suspension of international assistance is making the dire economic situation in the Sudan even worse, exacerbated as it already is by current geopolitical tensions, climate change and the disruption of the agricultural season. Thirdly, we are aware of the important steps taken by the Sudan to address its current security challenges, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Darfur region, where recent clashes have claimed many lives. In that context, we are encouraged by the Government’s efforts to move forward with transitional security arrangements for Darfur under the Juba Peace Agreement, including the gradual operationalization of the Permanent Ceasefire Committee, which has a critical role to play in investigating ceasefire violations. In conclusion, we continue to underscore the need to support the Sudan in its efforts to achieve sustainable peace and security, including by addressing the economic conditions that are disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable. We therefore reiterate our call on the international community, including the Security Council, to support the aspirations of the Sudanese people in a manner that respects the Sudan’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity.

China thanks Special Representative Perthes for his briefing. We welcome the new Permanent Representative of the Sudan as he takes up his new position, and his participation in today’s meeting. During the reporting period, all parties in the Sudan, together with the United Nations, African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) trilateral mechanism, continued the dialogue on the political transition. The parties in the Sudan have shown their willingness to continue with the political transition and complete all the tasks before them during the transition period. At the same time, there are clear divergences on specific issues. The parties should keep the big picture in mind while pursuing dialogue and consultations to address their differences and consolidate consensus. Addressing those differences is a process, and the international community should show the necessary patience and continue to uphold the principle of a Sudanese-owned and -led process, fully considering the realities in the Sudan and providing constructive help to the parties in the country. And the international community should avoid exerting too much pressure, picking sides and exacerbating the existing differences. The security situation in the Darfur region has become even worse, with multiple intercommunal conflicts, numerous casualties and the ongoing displacement of civilians. In response, the Sudan’s Sovereign Council has taken swift measures, stabilizing the local situation and providing humanitarian assistance. Thanks to the efforts of the Sudanese Government, the Juba Peace Agreement continues to be implemented in an effective manner. The Permanent Ceasefire Committee is operating normally, and the work of the joint security-keeping force has made progress, thereby creating positive conditions for improving the security situation in the Darfur region. The Security Council’s sanctions have severely hindered the security capacity-building of the Sudanese Government. China hopes that Council resolution 2620 (2022) will be implemented in earnest and that clear benchmarks on changing the sanctions regime will be set before 31 August. The economic situation in the Sudan continues to worsen. The country is seeing serious inflation, disruptions to its water and electricity supply and shortages of other basic supplies. The deteriorating economy and its impact on people’s livelihoods are among the root causes of the many challenges facing the Sudan. The implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement lacks financial support, and intercommunal conflicts in the Darfur region are being triggered by competition over resources, while the unstable political situation is to a large extent due to the issue of affected livelihoods. While the Sudanese people are in their time of greatest need, some countries and national organizations have suspended international assistance, which will obviously not help the Sudan to find a way out of the current crisis. The country is also dealing with a serious threat from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, with only 7 per cent of the population fully vaccinated. China has always shown solidarity with the Sudan. We were the first country to send a COVID-19 medical expert team to the Sudan, as well as to provide it with vaccine assistance via bilateral channels. We have already sent a total of 23 batches of COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies and will continue to provide assistance in that regard to the best of our ability. The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) and Special Representative Perthes have focused on the political transition and done extensive work in that regard. We hope that the Special Representative will strengthen communication and coordination with the AU and IGAD as a next step in order to enable the tripartite mechanism to reach its full potential. As the economy in the Sudan continues to worsen, China hopes that UNITAMS will fully implement its mandate to mobilize international assistance to the Sudan. The Permanent Mission of the Sudan, in a letter to the Council dated 18 April, provided a matrix of specific areas and items where UNITAMS can provide assistance to the country. Based on its mandate from the Council, UNITAMS should adjust its priorities in its work, focused on the reality on the ground, in order to better respond to the Sudan’s needs.

I too would like to thank Special Representative Perthes for his briefing and welcome the Permanent Representative of the Sudan to this meeting. Since we last discussed the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) in the Council (see S/PV.9006), it seems that the situation on the ground has continued to deteriorate, as the report of the Secretary-General also indicates (S/2022/400). Human rights violations and abuses are widespread, with zero accountability for the perpetrators. The recent report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council speaks very clearly of the sharp reversal of human rights achievements following the military coup. Albania is deeply concerned about the fact that the accountability measures put in place by the previous civilian Government have been reversed and dismantled by the military authorities. At the same time, there have been some positive developments. First, we welcome the fact that the trilateral mechanism of cooperation between the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development has started its work. We applaud the efforts of the three organizations and their respective Special Representatives and Envoys to work together to consolidate the framework for an inclusive intra-Sudanese dialogue. A genuine dialogue between all stakeholders is needed to end the current political deadlock. Secondly, the creation of a women’s support group facilitated by UNITAMS is an important step towards bringing the voices of women, young people, persons with disabilities and others to the table and mainstreaming a gender perspective into all the items under discussion. Thirdly, while we welcome the fact that some political detainees have been released, we urge the military and security forces to release all political detainees, cease arbitrary arrests, lift the state of emergency and avoid any acts that may jeopardize the dialogue. We are very concerned that violence in Darfur has intensified in recent months and is still on the rise, leading to new waves of displacement, intercommunal violence and humanitarian suffering. In order for the Sudan to end the violence, to move forward and to find lasting political solutions, accountability is key. Independent investigations into all acts of violence by all actors are essential  — whether in Darfur, in Khartoum or elsewhere. Finally, as we see from the report, UNITAMS and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General are fulfilling their mandate as entrusted to them by the Council. Albania supports the work of UNITAMS, and we look forward to the renewal of the mandate. I wish to stress in conclusion that the dire economic in the Sudan is not due to lack of international support but to a lack of political will on the part of the Sudanese authorities. We are convinced that the international community stands ready to re-engage in the Sudan if true political will to solve this crisis is visible. All Sudanese stakeholders should continue to engage constructively in the political process to restore a constitutionally legitimate transition and to resume the path to civilian leadership and democracy in the Sudan.

Let me start by thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Sudan, Volker Perthes, for his comprehensive briefing and for his committed work on the ground. I wish also to welcome the new representative of the Sudan to this meeting. My delegation will raise three points today. First, we should underscore our concern about the protection of civilians. We extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims in Kereneik, West Darfur. We deplore the attacks on health-care facilities and the mass displacement that those waves of violence have caused. We support the investigation announced by the Sovereign Council and call for additional measures to provide protection for civilians in the Darfur region. Secondly, I would like to commend the activities of the trilateral mechanism – the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). We are convinced that solutions to the Sudan’s political stalemate should include support at the multilateral and regional levels. Aided by the trilateral mechanism, the current broad, inclusive consultations should rekindle the hopes of the millions of Sudanese who took peacefully to the streets in 2019. Thirdly, I would like to reiterate the challenges facing the women and peace and security agenda in the Sudan. We commend the Security Council’s Informal Expert Group on its efforts to place the spotlight on those challenges. The legitimacy of both the ongoing consultations and the Sudan’s transition to democracy is firmly rooted in women’s leadership and political participation.

We are grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Volker Perthes, for the information he provided on the developing situation in the Sudan. We welcome the participation in today’s meeting of the new Permanent Representative of the Sudan to the United Nations, Mr. Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed. We read carefully the most recent quarterly report on the country (S/2022/400) and on the work being done there by the Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). The situation in the Sudan remains challenging. The country is in the throes of a political crisis. The Sudanese street remains feverish. The situation has been aggravated by the suspension of a significant portion of donor assistance, which has resulted in humanitarian and socioeconomic challenges. We fully support the efforts being made by the Government of the Sudan against that background to stabilize the situation and establish a constructive national dialogue. It is vital that the authorities reaffirm their commitment to the Juba Peace Agreement and declare their intent to hold general elections in July 2023. We note that that work is already bearing fruit, given the reduction in the number of demonstrations in the capital. At the same time, we are seriously concerned at the fact that the radicals retain influence in the country and reject the idea of any kind of dialogue with the Government, even through mediation. We expect that the trilateral coordination mechanism, established in March, consisting of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, will contribute to resolving that problem by helping with the intra-Sudanese dialogue. We remain convinced that the people of the Sudan can on their own resolve their issues through national dialogue. We hope that that process will be inclusive in nature and that all political forces of the country that have the genuine support of the people of the Sudan will participate. We call on the special political mission and Mr. Perthes personally to strictly abide by their mandate and focus equally on all its components. Particular attention should be paid to helping mobilize international financial and donor assistance so as to support the transitional institutions, the economy and the social sphere, implement the Juba Peace Agreement and tackle the issue of internally displaced persons and refugees. Those tasks cannot be left for later. They are exactly the goals that were set when the Mission was created. We also note that it is unacceptable to use assistance in economic development and implementing the provisions of the peace agreement for blackmail. That is unfair and inhumane vis-à-vis the Sudanese people, regardless of what part of the country they are in. The recent intercommunal clashes in Darfur are worrisome. At the same time, we note that the Government of the Sudan is taking measures to react to the situation in line with its capacities and resources. In recent months, deputy governors have been appointed in the states of West and South Kordofan. Some progress has also been made in the formation of a joint security force in the region and the work of the Permanent Ceasefire Committee. We are convinced that under current circumstances it is important to maintain a balanced stance regarding the events in the country; that is especially true for the United Nations. We note with regret that the reports provided by the Secretariat remain politicized. The particular features of Sudanese political culture and the irreversible political changes that have taken place in the country should be borne in mind. In the very near future, the Security Council will have to work on a draft resolution to extend the mandate of UNITAMS. We categorically oppose the use of that document to exert political pressure on the Sudanese authorities and impose on them questionable schemes and democratizing patterns developed in countries located on other continents. The Sudan is a country with a very rich political, multi-ethnic, cultural and religious past and present, whose citizens can and, most importantly, must find solutions to their own problems. United Nations assistance must be based on respect for the views of the host country, in a spirit of cooperation and a genuine intent to help the people of the Sudan.

Let me begin by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary- General Volker Perthes for his detailed briefing on the activities of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) concerning the implementation of resolutions 2524 (2020) and 2579 (2021). I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan at today’s meeting. The reporting period has not seen any forward movement on issues related to the constitutional order and the democratic transition process. In that context, the formation of a trilateral cooperation mechanism comprising the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the United Nations to support a Sudanese-led process is a welcome initiative. The mechanism has brought about some momentum in the intra-Sudanese talks in recent weeks. We encourage the mechanism to continue its efforts and to assist Sudanese stakeholders in finding a way forward. In this regard, we note the steps undertaken by the Sovereign Council, particularly the release of political detainees. We continue to underscore the importance of the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement. In this regard, we note the positive developments, such as further advances in the establishment of governance structures and operationalization of security arrangements in Darfur, including the Permanent Ceasefire Committee and the initiation of the Standby Force. This momentum needs to be sustained in the coming days. We encourage reconstitution of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission to facilitate integration of signatory armed movements into a security arrangement. The recent intercommunal violence in West Darfur is a matter of concern and reflects the complex reality on the ground. It is important to take measures to de-escalate tensions and promote active engagement between communities in order to build trust and confidence. There is no room for negative rhetoric or fault-finding. We acknowledge the efforts being made by the Sudanese authorities to open channels of dialogue between the conflicting parties in such places as South Darfur. On the economic front, we note with concern the points made by the Secretary-General in his report (S/2022/400). The report states that the temporary suspension of a significant portion of international donor assistance, together with the pause in engagement by international financial institutions, severely affected the inflows of overseas development assistance. We believe that the international community needs to avoid linking humanitarian and developmental assistance with progress in the political process. As evident from Secretary-General’s report, these measures are exacerbating the humanitarian suffering. There is also an urgent need to scale up assistance as well and to ensure that humanitarian agencies receive the funding they need to fully execute their plans without politicizing the basic needs of people. UNITAMS support for the Sudan will be critical during the coming months, particularly in assisting the political transition, implementing the Juba Peace Agreement and supporting peacebuilding efforts. After the renewal of its mandate by 3 June, we expect UNITAMS to focus on implementing the core activities of the four strategic objectives in close partnership with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. India has long-standing relations with the Sudan and its people. Over the years, India has assisted the Sudan through several projects under concessional lines of credit, capacity-building and humanitarian assistance. India wishes to see the Sudan emerge as a prosperous, peaceful and stable country and, towards that objective, will continue to support the Sudan and its people in these challenging times.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his comprehensive briefing, and for his and his team’s tireless efforts in an increasingly challenging environment. I would also like to welcome our new Sudanese colleague to today’s meeting. The Sudan is in a dire situation. The current national crisis may be the worst the country has faced since independence in 1956. While the political deadlock continues, violence has caused immense human suffering in Darfur, with tensions high in other parts of the country as well. The killing and injury of civilians, sexual and gender-based violence and grave violations against children have been documented, and the economic crisis and poor harvests have led to increased prices and constrained supplies, which has had an alarming impact on food security. Against this disturbing backdrop, Norway fully supports the joint efforts of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development aimed at undoing the political crisis. Their role as facilitators is crucial. However, the search for a sustainable agreement should be Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned. Historically marginalized groups must also be brought into the process. This includes women and youth  — and let me underline the importance of prioritizing their full, equal, and meaningful participation. We appreciate in particular the engagement of women’s rights groups, as mentioned by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General. Any agreement or Government resulting from a non-inclusive process will lack credibility with the Sudanese people and the international community. Moreover, there will be no real progress until the authorities have established an enabling environment. Violence in response to peaceful demonstrations must stop, and all remaining political detainees released without delay. Ending the state of emergency will also send a positive political signal. Norway is greatly concerned about negative developments in Darfur. The subnational violence has ethnic dimensions, which reminds us of the situation in 2003-2004. This should serve as a warning. The Juba Peace Agreement is important, but only if it is fully implemented. Swift and effective implementation of the transitional security arrangements remains critical. It is also important to address the root causes of recurrent conflicts. But this requires political will — and resources. Mobilizing resources, including for the joint security-keeping force and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes, is first and foremost the responsibility of the authorities, with UNITAMS mandated to provide support, including through the Permanent Ceasefire Committee. National authorities also bear the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians, including children, and for the prevention of conflict. Signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement, as well as non-signatories, must take urgent and concrete actions to de-escalate and reduce risks of further conflicts, and take active steps to refrain from further harming civilians. Before concluding, let me again stress that an inclusive political settlement is the surest path to economic recovery and development, improvement of the humanitarian situation and strengthening the protection of civilians. A stable situation will enable Norway and other partners, together with Sudanese authorities, to do more than current precarious circumstances allow. UNITAMS continues to play a key role in supporting the Sudan in reaching this goal. Allow me to be frank: in the current situation, UNITAMS is indispensable. Norway therefore fully supports the renewal of UNITAMS mandate.

I would like to thank Special Representative Volker Perthes for his very comprehensive briefing. I would also like to welcome the presence in the Chamber today of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan. I would like to highlight three points. France reiterates its full support for the joint facilitation of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. It is a viable way out of the current political impasse. We encourage all Sudanese, civilians and military alike, to take part in the dialogue in a spirit of compromise and responsibility. We call on the military authorities to continue their efforts aimed at creating conditions conducive to ending the crisis. We take note of the commitments — which must be fulfilled as soon as possible — to returning to a civilian and democratic transition, with the prospect of elections at the end of the process. I would like to remind Council members that this is a commitment made by the authorities that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people. We await the implementation of all the announced measures. In particular, all remaining political prisoners must be released and the state of emergency must be lifted. It is also necessary to put an end to violence against demonstrators, including sexual violence. We also regret the failure to prosecute those responsible for human rights violations. Political instability continues to worsen the security, economic and humanitarian situation in the Sudan. Every effort must be made to ensure that the political crisis does not fuel a worsening of the security situation, particularly in Darfur. Some progress has been made in training members of the armed groups that signed the Juba agreements. This must continue. We call on the authorities to ensure the protection of civilians, in particular by accelerating the deployment of the joint force and the reintegration of fighters. We are concerned about the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation. France and the European Union remain committed to the Sudanese people. European cooperation has therefore been reoriented towards civil society, with €12 million disbursed in support in 2021. European humanitarian assistance has also been maintained, in the amount of €40 million for the first five months of 2022. I would also like to point out that the Sudan also benefits from the regional support to the Horn of Africa announced by the European Union, totalling more than €633 million. Finally, we call on the Sudanese authorities to cooperate fully with the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). The mandate established by the Security Council as the status-of-mission agreement is an obligation for the Sudanese authorities. The members of the Security Council have a responsibility to support the United Nations in the implementation of the tasks entrusted to it. In that regard, we thank the United Kingdom penholder for all its efforts regarding the renewal of the UNITAMS mandate.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his briefing and commend his work. I welcome the representative of the Sudan. Restoration of the constitutional order is vital to addressing the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation in the Sudan, as well as the escalating violence in Darfur. We acknowledge the joint efforts of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, led by Mr. Perthes, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to facilitate a genuinely Sudanese-led and -owned political process. That process has to be implemented with a sense of urgency, because prolonging the status quo will have a negative impact on every aspect of life in the Sudan. We call on all political stakeholders do everything possible to ensure a return to constitutional order as soon as possible. We also call for lifting the state of emergency and releasing those who have been arbitrarily detained, while of course we acknowledge the release of prisoners that occurred recently. The process must also involve women, since as many of us in the Council have said, the revolution was in large part the result of their work. Despite the deteriorating situation, Sudanese women continue to work for full participation in the political and civic life of their country. We call for including a significant number of diverse women in all the delegations that are participating in the process. In that regard, we welcome the initiative to form a group of Sudanese women to participate on an equal footing in the dialogue facilitated by the trilateral mechanism, with the main objective of advancing an agenda focused on their rights and priorities. The situation in Darfur has deteriorated significantly. The withdrawal of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur has created a security vacuum. Intercommunal fighting has unfortunately increased, resulting in displacement and further exposing women and children to the risk of sexual and gender-based violence. There are mechanisms to address some of the most pressing challenges both in terms of the protection of civilians and reducing tensions, with the Permanent Ceasefire Committee being a case in point. We urge the authorities to continue working for the full implementation of the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians. However, for security gains to be sustainable, they must go hand in hand with the implementation of other aspects of the Juba Peace Agreement. It is critical to address the root causes of intercommunal violence, such as land rights issues, create lasting solutions for internally displaced persons and further the adoption and establishment of transitional justice mechanisms. We reiterate that accountability and other reconciliation mechanisms will be the pillars of peace in Darfur. I would like to conclude by urging the Sudanese authorities to see to a conclusion the investigations still pending of alleged human rights violations, particularly in the context of the recent demonstrations against the coup d’état, which, as Mr. Perthes said, were largely peaceful. The erosion of the people’s confidence in national judicial institutions must be prevented, and there must be full cooperation with international institutions. In that regard, we will be closely following the trial of Mr. Abd-Al-Rahman at the International Criminal Court, which began recently. We are encouraged by the authorities’ announcement that they will continue to cooperate with the Court.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his briefing. I would also like to welcome our new colleague Ambassador Mohamed to our table this morning. Clearly, the situation in the Sudan is deeply worrying. As we have heard this morning, the country is facing a political, economic, food and humanitarian crisis, with half the population expected to need assistance by September. On its current trajectory, I also fear we may now be seeing the country sliding back into authoritarian control. I echo the Secretary- General’s call, and that of the Special Representative today, for a return to the transitional path and to a civilian-led, democratic Government, which should be through an inclusive, Sudanese-owned political dialogue. We commend the joint efforts of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in facilitating political dialogue among all Sudanese stakeholders so far. Mr. Perthes and his team have worked tirelessly in difficult circumstances, and their efforts have our full support. I encourage all Sudanese stakeholders to play their part, show good faith and create an environment conducive to peace talks and inclusive dialogue. In particular, I urge the military and security authorities to immediately end the violence against civilian protesters. The Sudanese authorities must ensure the right to peaceful assembly, lift the state of emergency and take concrete steps to hold the security forces and associated armed groups to account. The release of some political detainees last month was welcome news, but I again call for the release of all remaining political activists detained since the October coup. I am encouraged by the involvement of women in the political talks. However, as we heard, Sudanese women legitimately fear a return to the oppression, exclusion and injustice of the Omar Al-Bashir era. The right of the women of the Sudan to play a decisive role in the economy, politics and peacebuilding of their wider society must be protected. A dire economic picture has steadily worsened since the coup in October. While the invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on the prices of food and basic goods in the Sudan, we call on the Sudanese authorities to avoid actions that exacerbate those problems. As we heard just now, 40 per cent of the Sudan’s population is on track to be food-insecure by September. I want to note that today is the fourth anniversary to the day of the adoption here in this Chamber of resolution 2417 (2018), on conflict and hunger. We should live up to our responsibilities in the Security Council with regard to that resolution. As for the Sudan’s plight, UNITAMS and the Sudan’s partners, including the European Union, stand with the people of the Sudan and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance. I want to emphasize that it is vital, indeed fundamental that humanitarian access not be impeded, so that humanitarian support can get to those who need it most. The political breakdown in Khartoum has also resulted in increased violence in Darfur. Since the withdrawal of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, the Security Council has too often had to discuss violence, mass killings and widespread displacement in Darfur. There has also been a disturbing rise in sexual and gender-based violence in Darfur that simply must end. We welcome the role that the Permanent Ceasefire Committee has been playing in Darfur, but we need to see the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians and the Juba Peace Agreement fully implemented without delay. In conclusion, I want to reiterate our call for all parties to live up to their commitments to the Sudanese people, and to re-emphasize our support for UNITAMS in continuing its work supporting the Sudan in overcoming its challenges.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States. I would first like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his comprehensive briefing. We commend his efforts and those of his team supporting the people of the Sudan and their aspirations to restore a civilian-led transition to democracy. Let me also take a moment to welcome the new Permanent Representative of the Sudan to the Security Council. I warmly welcome Ambassador Mohamed. The United States fully supports the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan so that the Mission can continue to serve its vital role in furthering peace, security and stability. Today I would like to discuss three key issues for the United States in the Sudan: the transition to democracy, the release of political prisoners and support to the Sudanese people. First, the United States is closely following, and fully supports, the collaborative efforts of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to facilitate a Sudanese-led process to transition to a fully civilian-led democracy. We strongly encourage the Sudanese people — civilians and military personnel alike — to use that process to make rapid progress on the framework for a civilian- led transitional Government. We are encouraged by the outreach and progress that we have seen so far. As that process gains momentum, as other speakers have said, we must make sure that women, young people and members of other marginalized groups enjoy full, effective and meaningful participation and inclusion throughout every stage of the process. That is the hallmark of a true democracy, and including women makes it more likely that the transition will be peaceful. We are hopeful that the tripartite-facilitated dialogue will succeed  — and soon. The transfer of power to a civilian-led Government will enable the resumption of international financial support and development assistance — support that is desperately needed. To make sure that progress happens and that the people of the Sudan are well served, we are prepared to levy consequences on those who impede or otherwise spoil the Sudan’s transition to democracy. Secondly, while we welcome the recent release of some political prisoners, the United States reiterates its call for an immediate end to unjust detentions of civil society activists, politicians, journalists, cultural figures and humanitarian workers. Lifting the state of emergency and ending the use of violence against protesters would send a strong signal to the Sudanese people that the authorities are serious about good governance. Thirdly and finally, while progress is made towards the election of a civilian-led Government, the United States will continue to support the Sudanese people. The continued violence throughout the Sudan demonstrates the urgent need for the protection of civilians. The Sudan needs security sector reform, robust international monitoring and reporting mechanisms and comprehensive, inclusive and transparent transitional justice processes, including accountability. In the meantime, the United States will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people and support for civil society. In conclusion, we stand with the Sudanese people in their pursuit of a democratic, human-rights-respecting and prosperous Sudan. We will continue to add our voice to bolster theirs and take action to help them create a peaceful, democratic Sudan. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I would like to again draw the attention of speakers to paragraph 22 of presidential note S/2006/507, which encourages all participants in Council meetings to deliver their statements in five minutes or less, in line with the Security Council’s commitment to making more effective use of open meetings. I give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

At the outset, allow me to extend my warm congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your country’s presidency of the Security Council this month. We affirm our readiness to work with you on issues related to the Sudan in the Council. I would also like to express our appreciation to the United Kingdom for its presidency of the Security Council last month. I would also like to thank Mr. Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), for his briefing today. We have also taken note of the report of the Secretary-General to the Council (S/2022/400). For some months, the Sudanese situation has been witnessing an ongoing movement that seeks to make the political transition in the Sudan a success and puts the country on its path towards democracy, freedom, peace and justice in order to form a civilian Government by means of a national consensus as a result of a negotiating process under the tripartite mechanism of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, in which several organizations and political actors have begun to participate constructively. Lieutenant General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, Head of the transitional Sovereign Council, assured me that he had informed the representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNITAMS of the efforts to unify initiatives and reach a meaningful national consensus in order to form a broad- based civilian Government. In that case, the military component would hand over power to that Government; the other option is to complete the transitional period and avail the country of democratic elections, which is the ultimate goal of the transitional period. We appreciate the support of the United Nations to reach a negotiated national consensus solution in the Sudan. I would like to focus on the following three points related to the overall situation in the Sudan, as well as a fourth point related to the work of UNITAMS and the Sudanese Government’s outlook regarding that work. In addition, we would like to make comments regarding the Secretary-General’s remarks contained in his report before this meeting. First, with regard to the security situation and the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, we note that the Sudanese Government is working in full coordination with the partners of the peace process in order to implement the terms of the Agreement. In that regard, the first batch of forces from the movements that signed the Juba Peace Agreement will graduate within the next few days. It is a 2,000-strong force that constitutes the first batch of the joint security force to maintain security and protect civilians in Darfur, which will have a strength of 12,000, divided equally between Government forces and the forces of the factions that signed the Peace Agreement. The graduation of that first batch is an essential step in implementing the security arrangements clause. It comes in parallel with the armed factions’ response to the decisions announced at the meeting of the Joint Supreme Council for Security Arrangements, which was held in El Fasher in March, especially those related to collecting weapons in cities and state capitals and assembling the movements’ forces in locations outside cities. I would like to clarify that, as part of implementing the provisions of the Juba Peace Agreement, the Government is facilitating the work of the Permanent Ceasefire Committee, which is headed by UNITAMS, while the Committee continues its work in the states of Darfur. It is worth noting that the Government is committed to maintaining the ceasefire and the laying down of arms, even by non-signatories to the Juba Peace Agreement, in order to build trust and ensure that such parties join the overall peace process. The Government has the strong political will to implement the provisions of the Juba Peace Agreement, including with regard to security arrangements, the demobilization, disarmament and reintegration programmes as well as the formation and deployment of the joint civilian protection force in order to strengthen security in Darfur. We would like to stress that those tasks are hard and challenging and that it is difficult for the Government of the Sudan to undertake them alone in the required manner. We therefore call on the international community to share the burden by providing the necessary financial and technical support in that regard. We expect that UNITAMS will play a major role to that end. We are determined to continue working to improve the security situation in Darfur by implementing the Juba Peace Agreement, collecting unauthorized weapons, achieving justice and accountability, implementing the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians with the participation of the signatories to the Juba Peace Agreement and working to negotiate with the Abdul Wahid faction on the peace process. In Darfur, we are witnessing an important transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding. We need the support of the international community for the transitional Government to ensure that security and stability sustainably prevail in the region. Secondly, the tribal clashes that erupted in the town of Kereneik, in the Western State of Darfur, are regrettable. As I pay tribute to the victims, I also wish a speedy recovery to the injured. I would like to point out that the tribal clashes in Darfur can be understood only by placing them in their correct context as an integral part of the huge security burden that the Government inherited from the previous regime, while the Government is making every effort to find a lasting solution to such challenges. Furthermore, we note that, immediately after the outbreak of the tribal clashes, the Sovereig Council, as well as the National Council for Security and Defence, held emergency meetings. That resulted in measures being taken, including urgently sending troops from the armed forces to the region in order to restore security and peace, strengthen border controls to prevent the flow of small arms and light weapons, initiate comprehensive investigations and make those responsible accountable, while also expediting the provision of humanitarian aid to those affected by tribal violence. Those actions seek the de-escalation and non-recurrence of tribal clashes. To that end, a member of the Sovereign Council accompanied, by a high-level delegation, visited the city of El Geneina. In the wake of that visit, effective decisions were made to implement the measures just mentioned. Thirdly, the Sudan also continues to implement economic reforms that can have a great impact on large swathes of the population, with a view to resolving inherited economic issues. Those are important reforms, and we hope to receive more development aid and strengthen cooperation with bilateral partners that want to see a successful transition in the Sudan. That includes obtaining funding from international financial institutions in order to mitigate the impact of those reforms and alleviate the Sudan’s external debt burden pursuant to the initiative for highly-indebted poor countries. The Sudan has also opened its doors to host refugees from some of its neighbouring countries affected by unprecedented circumstances, particularly Ethiopia and South Sudan. My country has therefore become the largest refugee hosting country on the African continent. The Sudan continues to receive refugees from neighbouring countries, based on its values and morals and in order to fulfil its international obligations. We urge the international community to further assume its responsibilities with regard to the burden that the Sudan has taken on as a result of the waves of refugees and the growing pressure on local Governments and host communities, which has exacerbated the economic situation and the spread of the coronavirus disease. Fourthly, the Government is eager to engage constructively with UNITAMS and has therefore once again set up the national executive mechanism for that purpose. That coordinating mechanism is headed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and includes relevant bodies and institutions. During the previous period, the mechanism studied the Mission’s actions since its inception, two years ago, and established an 11-point matrix based on the terms of reference governing the work of the transitional Government and the work of the Mission, namely, the Constitutional Declaration, the Juba Peace Agreement and the letter sent by the Sudan to the Secretary-General and the Security Council in February 2020 to establish the Mission. The matrix was sent to the Council and the Secretariat. We believe that there is a need to objectively reassess UNITAMS, as it is an international mechanism for providing support and advice to the Government and civilians in peacebuilding during the transitional period. We must agree on a systematic framework and a new conceptual context and work together to prevent conflicts and promote the stability of local communities by prioritizing actions based on local realities in conflict situations and the manner of resolving those conflicts. The achievements and failures of the Mission must also be assessed in a rational way, which was agreed by Mr. Perthes yesterday and identified among the main priorities for the peacebuilding operation in the Sudan, which is facing massive challenges. Maintaining sustainable peace in the Sudan should be the most important objective of UNITAMS, in addition to promoting democratic governance and mobilizing financial and development support to enforce the Juba Peace Agreement. In that regard, the process of protecting civilians in Darfur is the most important objective, which requires mobilizing economic and development support, coordinating humanitarian aid and activating the peacebuilding process. Historically, the Sudan has cooperated with the United Nations in several operations. That includes productive development projects, relief operations under the auspices of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Operation Lifeline, during the third democracy in the 1980s, as well as support for refugees owing to the Sudan’s location in Africa, which attracts illegal migrants and refugees. We believe that development support should not be linked to political conditions, because that would harm the integrated peacebuilding operation conducted by UNITAMS. Violence has numerous causes and exists in all the communities of the world. The peacebuilding process must implement its priorities in order to be able to manage tribal skirmishes and societal violence. The protection of civilians is a relative issue that is subject to interests related to economic resources and achieving economic and development prosperity, which would reduce community disagreements, particularly in conflict areas. It is for that reason that the United Nations peacebuilding operation was established. We must also consider cross-border factors that threaten national security and public order in Darfur, bearing in mind the prevailing circumstances in the neighbourhood. We hope that the peacebuilding process will include support to prevent the proliferation of small arms and address the causes of gender-based violence. We must also strengthen national efforts to bolster the police, security and judicial systems in Darfur. It is clear that it is a mistake to suspend democratic governance because of a lack of a legal reason for its continuation. We must mobilize exterior resources to support the Darfur Permanent Ceasefire Committee. Without international support, the process for security arrangements and protecting civilians would flounder, as we do not have sufficient resources. Other financing challenges also threaten our work, particularly with regard to supporting children in areas of armed conflict and the efforts of the National Council for Child Welfare. We hope to implement the National Plan on Civilian Protection in Darfur, headed by the Minister of the Interior, which was submitted to the Security Council. Despite its meagre resources, the Ministry of Finance allocated a budget for strengthening the protection of civilians and the flows of refugees to the east of the Sudan. It is sometimes said that the laws that truly prevent us from acting are the same ones for which we are criticized for our inaction. We hope that is not true in our case. The current political situation is scalable with the efforts made by Mr. Perthes by coordinating national initiatives with a view to forming a third transitional civilian Government. That is possible with national consensus and national perspective. Peacebuilding also is affected by insufficient financing at the community level, which negatively impacts the situation of internally displaced persons. Mechanisms for resolving local conflicts must be promoted, and gaps related to the protection of civilians must be addressed because they, in turn, result in the financial inability to enforce the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians. There are also security challenges posed by cross-border armed groups. The funding of these operations must therefore be reviewed by the international community, while the authorities are willing to cooperate with the United Nations in order to bolster the protection of civilians. Reducing the scope of peacebuilding activities because of an unclear political environment is unwise, in our view, because had it not been for the complex peace situation, the Government of the Sudan would not have requested the help of a United Nations mission. Limiting peacebuilding activities because of the political landscape will have negative consequences. In that connection, we commend the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund for the $20 million allocated to support the community needs of the eight affected regions of Darfur. We welcome the Secretary-General’s remarks in his current report, particularly those in support of the democratic transition by emphasizing the importance of peace, dialogue and national spirit under the auspices of the United Nations and the tripartite regional mechanism to form a broad-based civilian Government and complete lasting peace negotiations with the factions in Darfur and South Kordofan. We support his call for all national actors and stakeholders to overcome obstacles and create an environment conducive to moving forward. The Secretary-General stressed that the region and the international communities are ready to provide support. The Secretary-General also commended the initiative of human rights groups and the participation of Sudanese women in the peace process. We value his call for taking into consideration the humanitarian situation in the Sudan, which is affected by the economic and climate crisis, as well as the interruptions of the global supply, which directly affects the inflation rate and increases the poverty level, given that only 15 per cent of humanitarian needs are being met. The Secretary- General also mentions the importance of Member States supporting Sudanese social and human capital, including the promotion of private partnerships within the international financial institutions. The Secretary-General welcomed the national efforts made to strengthen the joint force in maintaining security in Darfur, and also welcomed the Permanent Ceasefire Committee as a means of reducing tensions in Darfur by abiding by the ceasefire, grouping armed units pursuant to the Juba Peace Agreement and implementing disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes. We are pleased that despite the political crisis that the Secretary-General has discussed, he has called on Member States to increase donors’ support for priority programmes in the Sudan. In conclusion, we support the Secretary-General’s points about investing locally in the peacebuilding process in order to reduce conflict and secure the lives of citizens and communities.

There are no more names on the list of speakers. I will now adjourn the meeting so that the Council can continue its discussion on the subject in closed consultations.