S/PV.9129 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 the following briefers to participate in this meeting: 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; and Mr. Ibrahim Mudawi, President of the Sudan Social Development Organization. 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/2022/667, 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: Since my previous briefing in May (see S/PV.9041), the Sudan has seen new political developments, but also a continued deterioration of the socioeconomic situation. Security incidents affecting civilians have increased across the country. Humanitarian needs are growing exponentially. The overall situation will continue to worsen unless a political solution is found to restore a credible, fully functioning civilian-led Government, one that can re-establish the authority of the State across the country and create conditions for the resumption of international cooperation, including debt relief. Such a solution is by no means guaranteed, but there is a chance to reach a political agreement that would inaugurate a new transitional period towards democratic governance. Next month, on 25 October, the military coup in the Sudan will be one year old. The past 10 months have been marked by recurrent protests against the coup. There have been 117 people killed and thousands more injured in the context of those protests. At the same time, efforts to realize the goals of the revolution of 2018 have continued, particularly among youth, women, trade unions and professional associations. A recent noteworthy event was the formation of a new independent journalists’ syndicate, whose members not only asserted their right to form an association but also elected their council and president through competitive voting for the first time in 33 years. At the same time, elements of the former regime that were displaced by the revolution are gradually returning to the political scene, to the Administration and to public space. With regard to the political process, some important decisions have been taken by the military and some promising developments have happened among civilians. On 4 July, the President of the Sovereign Council, General Abdelfattah Burhan, announced the military’s intention to withdraw from politics. While large parts of the public doubted that the military leadership meant what it said, the announcement did generate momentum among civilian forces, and several major initiatives aimed at reaching a common civilian vision have emerged in response. Last Saturday, the initiative of the Bar Association presented to the trilateral mechanism the outcome of its work on a draft constitutional framework. The draft was explicitly endorsed by the parties behind two other major initiatives, which means that the Bar Association initiative now gathers a broad spectrum of civilian forces around one vision, including the parties of the Forces for Freedom and Change; the Central Committee, on which the Government of former Prime Minister Hamdok had relied; relevant parties not included in that Government, like the Democratic Unionist Party; and Juba Peace Agreement signatories still present in today’s Sovereign Council. The trilateral mechanism, consisting of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, has engaged with all initiatives. We have facilitated a meaningful participation of women; we have provided constitutional expertise to those who have requested such assistance; and we are currently in the process of comparing the constitutional and political visions that have been issued. Almost all stakeholders — including, notably, the military  — have expressed that they want the trilateral mechanism to play a role either in bringing the different initiatives together, coming up with bridging proposals or eventually mediating an agreement with the military. I am actually encouraged by the degree of commonality in the current debate in the Sudan. There are no doubt important differences about the institutional division of powers, particularly the role of the military. But the gaps have narrowed, and there is now a wide-ranging consensus on, among other things, the need for a civilian Head of State, an independent Prime Minister and a Cabinet composed of experts and technocrats, not party leaders. There is also consensus that the issue of transitional justice should be high on the list of priorities. There is therefore an opportunity to end the crisis, and both the military and civilian forces must grasp it. While any political agreement must be Sudanese-owned, the trilateral mechanism stands ready to convene the parties around one text so as to bridge the remaining differences. As the political stalemate continues, the human rights situation has not improved either. Since my last briefing (see S/PV.9041), 20 protesters have been killed and at least 1,700 injured. I have more than once felt it necessary to publicly condemn the excessive use of force by security forces as well as their targeting of health facilities and medical staff. The political crisis in Khartoum is also contributing to instability in the rest of the country. The peace talks between the Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North that were paused in the summer of 2021 have not resumed. The surge of violence in Darfur and Blue Nile is particularly worrying. From 24 May to 28 August, UNITAMS documented 40 incidents of intercommunal violence resulting in the deaths of more than 300 civilians. National and local authorities, including the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces, leaders of the signatories to the Juba Peace Agreement, regional and state governors, native administrations and civil-society leaders have all made attempts to broker reconciliation and agreements in Darfur and Blue Nile, but the sustainability of those agreements remains uncertain in the absence of effective State authority. I urge all communities to refrain from hate speech, which is increasingly fuelling communal tensions. I urge the authorities to urgently address protection gaps. There should be no doubt that the responsibility for the protection of civilians rests on their shoulders. The lack of implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement continues to contribute to instability. Protocols addressing the drivers of the conflict in Darfur, including wealth-sharing, justice, the resolution of land issues and ensuring the return of internally displaced persons, remain unfulfilled. In the absence of a political agreement, it will be difficult to advance them. One positive step, as mentioned by the Permanent Representative of the Sudan during our previous meeting, was the graduation on 3 July of the first batch of 2,000 fighters for the joint security-keeping force in Darfur, as provided for in the Juba Peace Agreement. The United Nations has contributed to training them in human rights and international humanitarian law. But the graduation was only a first step. The joint security- keeping force has not actually been fully established to match the number of soldiers from regular forces and has yet to be deployed. I urge the authorities to begin deploying them and thereby improve the protection of the population. Humanitarian needs are now at record levels owing to a combination of ongoing political instability, economic crises, a rise in intercommunal violence, poor harvests and now floods. Some 11.7 million people are facing acute hunger, and the number is growing. While United Nations and partner organizations have managed to reach 7.1 million people in need since January, the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan is funded only at 32 per cent — less than a third of what is needed. In that challenging context, the United Nations has been working with partners to strengthen community stabilization efforts and resilience-building. Integrated approaches supported by the Peacebuilding Fund have been put in place to address the risks created by climate change and food insecurity in Darfur. UNITAMS and the United Nations family continue to offer support to national and state authorities in the implementation of the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians. UNITAMS also continues to advise and train the Sudanese Police Force in community policing, addressing sexual and gender-based violence and the protection of civilians. The workshops and trainings over the past few months have involved more than 400 police personnel and 1,100 community members, usually in cooperation with the Sudanese Police Force, other United Nations agencies, civil society and the respective state prosecutors’ offices. The Permanent Ceasefire Committee, chaired by UNITAMS, has continued to engage in order to de-escalate tensions, resolve disputes between signatory parties to the Juba Peace Agreement and undertake capacity-building activities with local authorities. It has conducted investigations following formal requests from the parties, including after the conflict in Kerenik and El Geneina in April. To sum up, nearly a year after the military takeover of 25 October, the Sudan still lacks a fully functional and legitimate Government. The decision of the military to withdraw from politics and the recent initiatives by civilian forces offer a window of opportunity for both the military and political forces to reach an agreement on the way forward. However, time is of the essence. The longer the political paralysis lasts, the more difficult it will be to return to the transition that UNITAMS is mandated to assist. I urge all actors to seize this opportunity and reach agreement on a solution that enjoys legitimacy in the eyes of Sudanese women and men. We in the United Nations and our partners in the trilateral mechanism remain steadfast in our efforts in that direction. I count on the Security Council and the broader international community to back our efforts and offer coordinated support to the Sudan at this critical time.

I thank Mr. Perthes for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Mudawi. Mr. Mudawi: Thank you, Madam President, for giving me this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the Sudan. It is a complicated question, and I will be addressing some specific points. Mr. Perthes has given us an overview of what is happening. As we know, the overthrow of the Islamic regime in 2019 provided an opportunity for the Sudanese to transition from dictatorship to democracy. Unfortunately, while we were undergoing the transition, there was a military coup on 25 October. Since then, everything has been deteriorating. There is a lot of fighting in different areas of the Sudan. There is growing insecurity for the population, especially in Darfur. The protection of civilians is a big problem for all of us. There are problems with food. There are problems with administration. Nothing is moving at this time. We have spent all this time trying to bring civilians together so that we can agree on a civilian transition, because the demand and the hope of all the Sudanese people is for a civilian-led Government, and that civilian-led Government has to be formed by civilians. It is not the military who form the civilian Government. Since immediately after the coup, the military has been trying with different civilians to assume the role of Prime Minister and to form a Government, but no civilians have accepted it because no one wants to be under military rule. The military has now said that it wants to give up power to civilians, and we have been working with different civilians, political parties and civil society to try to bring people to agree on a way forward. There has not been just one effort, but rather there have been several efforts undertaken by several people trying to bring people together. Recently we managed, as civil society, under the Sudanese Bar Association initiative, to bring in the Forces for Freedom and Change party, which had been part of the previous Government; one of the biggest parties, which was not part of the previous Government, the Original Democratic Unionist Party; Ansar Al-Sunna; and the Popular Congress Party. That initiative has managed to gather many civil society organizations, professional organizations and youth. It is the only credible initiative now that we can build on and reach an agreement on a civilian Government and sending the military to the barracks. Sending the military to the barracks is easier said than done. There are the Sudanese Armed Forces. There are the Rapid Support Forces. There are the factions that have signed the Juba Peace Agreement. They all have military components, and they need to be unified in one professional army. They need to be taken into barracks so that they are not roaming among civilians, which is the case now, especially in areas such as Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. As long as they continue roaming around, the army’s return to the barracks and its withdrawal from politics will remain only a dream. Those people have to go back to the barracks and stay in the barracks. A process of unifying and classifying the different armies and groups that have been formed must be started. The armies and groups must be brought to the barracks, and they must do training and be demobilized so that we can have a unified army. If we do not have a unified army, there will always be a risk that there will be fighting among those factions, and that might lead to a civil war. The big problem now is that those different factions and militaries are staying in the towns, posing a risk and are causing many problems for the people. In rural areas, especially in Darfur, civilians are under threat all the time. They are not able to farm because of the threat of attack by different groups. It is not possible to know who is who because everyone is wearing a military uniform and taking up arms. In a way, the State authority does not exist. All those groups are behaving however they want. We will not have a civilian Government unless we have a unified army. We cannot have a civilian Government without authority. We need to have a civilian Government that is in control. That means that all the armies — not only the Sudanese Armed Forces, but all the armies — have to go back to the barracks. There are needs now. There are states of emergencies everywhere. During the rainy season, there were many floods, and many houses and many villages were destroyed. The response, if any, from the Government has been very weak. The needs are great, and no one is providing assistance. Only very limited assistance is being given by the United Nations and some international organizations, and yet there are many needs. The problem is that the economic situation of almost all members of society is deteriorating. We are now seeing many strikes among professionals who are asking for wage increases because of inflation and because they cannot survive. The Minister of Finance himself said that what we give to a civil servant does not meet his needs for more than 12 days. That means that there are 18 days during which the civilian civil servant cannot eat, and he has to find other means to get food. That situation cannot continue forever. We must stabilize the situation by establishing a civilian-led Government that has credibility with society. It cannot be just any civilian Government in which we group civilians together and say, “this is a Government”. Rather, it has to be a civilian Government that is accepted by the population, especially the youth, who are on the streets every day. We need a civilian Government made up of credible persons who are not partisan so that we can lead the transition. There are many things in the transition that have to be done. We in this country all have different views, and it is has been widely accepted that we will enter into a societal dialogue by which the Sudanese people can reach agreement on how the country can be ruled and a new Sudan’s needs can be met. We said that the societal dialogue has to be a constitutional dialogue, culminating in a constitutional conference at which all the Sudanese people are represented. The best thing that the transition can do is stabilize the economy, begin to reform the civil service and start the process for a constitutional conference so that at the end of the transition period, the Sudanese people can arrive at an acceptable model of governance that all agree on, along with a date when elections can be held. The other issue that has to be resolved is transitional justice. As we know, many atrocities have been committed over the past 30 years and in the wake of the uprising and the downfall of the regime in April 2019. There has been much killing. More than 100 young people have been killed since October, and many, some of whom have yet to be identified, were killed on 3 June. All such issues involving atrocities must be addressed. What all of us Sudanese agree on is that we need a transitional justice model that will address the violations committed under the 30-year Islamic regime and following the downfall of Al-Bashir. Those are therefore the main issues we should be looking at. I believe that one of the most important things we need now is a civilian Government that can address the economic situation, which is an emergency. Other services, such as education and health care, have all deteriorated. We have a school dropout rate of more than 60 per cent at the basic education level that must be addressed. Many people are now homeless, and an estimated 1 million of them are young people. Our hospitals, clinics and all other such facilities have also deteriorated. Going to hospital is now risky, because hospitals’ hygiene and overall operating conditions are compromised. In addition, medical doctors and personnel’s pay is so inadequate that they actually cannot live on it. We therefore need a civilian Government. And we need the army to return to barracks. The entire military has to be offered incentives to return to barracks and undergo training on how to deal with people. We need civil-service reform. We have a very large civil-service corps that we inherited from the previous regime, with non-professionals and unqualified people in various positions. With regard to the situation of women and children, many women in rural areas have become heads of households, trying to work and put food on the table for their families. In conflict areas such as Darfur, where people were killed during the war, many women are now the heads of their households. And although we agreed that we needed a meaningful representation of women during the transition period, that has unfortunately not happened. We agreed that women should occupy 40 per cent of Government positions. That has not happened. At the initiative of the Sudanese Bar Association, we have now agreed that 50 per cent of the Cabinet, 50 per cent of the Sovereign Council and more than 40 per cent of the Transitional Legislative Council have to be represented by women. I believe we need to increase pressure on the military to make greater concessions and return to barracks. We need to train them so that we can have a modern, united Sudanese army. The priority for the next Government has to be addressing the economy, which has to be stabilized. The Government must find the means to provide food for the people to survive and begin farming again. It must also address the security issues in Darfur, which is crucial. The reality, and the problem, is that the mechanism set out in the Juba Peace Agreement for the protection of civilians is not working. The forces are made up of tribes, and when there is a conflict, each force member will side with his own tribe. We have seen that in northern Darfur and western Darfur. We need to find another mechanism for the protection of civilians, and we have to explore other options. How can we protect civilians? How can we train soldiers? Can we send soldiers or police from other areas of the Sudan to regions other than their own and not allow people from one region to protect the civilians of that region? Those are the issues. The issue of bandits also has to be addressed. There are still people roaming around. Unfortunately, they wear military uniforms and are committing a lot of crimes.

I thank Mr. Mudawi for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I am grateful to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his briefing and for his and his team’s tireless efforts. I also thank Mr. Mudawi for his account, which we followed closely, and I welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan at our meeting today. I would like to make three points in response to what we have just heard. First, concerning the political situation, we regret that limited progress has been made since the Special Representative of the Secretary-General briefed us in May (see S/PV.9041). We take note of his cautious optimism today following recent moves towards a negotiated outcome, and we hope this momentum can bear fruit. The United Kingdom condemns the excessive use of force by security forces, which led to the deaths of nine protesters on 30 June. As we heard, that takes the total number of protesters killed since the coup to 116. The United Kingdom calls on the Sudanese authorities to stop all violence against protesters and for perpetrators of human rights violations to be held to account. We further urge the military component to engage constructively in the political process and fulfil its stated commitment to withdraw from the political scene. Secondly, the Sudan is facing an urgent economic and humanitarian crisis. Ordinary citizens continue to suffer. Bureaucratic and security-related impediments are limiting the international community’s ability to deliver humanitarian aid to those most in need. We urge the authorities to remove those barriers immediately. Only a civilian-led transitional Government can put the country on the road to recovery and allow for the full resumption of international support, including debt relief. Thirdly, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned about the increased violence in West Darfur state and the Blue Nile region. The recent graduation of members of the joint security-keeping force is a welcome step. Further steps are urgently needed in order to implement the security arrangements of the Juba Peace Agreement, address the root causes of conflict in Darfur and achieve sustainable peace. In conclusion, the United Kingdom fully supports the efforts of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, along with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, to help facilitate the Sudanese-led process to resolve the political crisis. We urge all Sudanese actors to come together in good faith and in a spirit of compromise in order to deliver on the population’s demands for freedom, peace and justice.

I would like to thank Mr. Volker Perthes for his briefing. Ireland strongly supports the work of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in the Sudan. I also want to thank Mr. Perthes and his team for their tireless efforts. And I thank Mr. Mudawi for his thoughtful intervention. The deeply damaging consequences of last year’s military coup are now clearly manifesting themselves throughout the country. No aspect of Sudanese society has been left untouched by the fractured politics in Khartoum. We see than in the political and security turmoil, as well as in the deteriorating economic, social and humanitarian environment. I am particularly alarmed by the increasing militarization of Sudanese life and rising armed violence against civilians. Moreover, this crisis is occurring in a context of growing regional instability and a global food crisis, which is particularly impacting the Horn of Africa. In the Sudan today, hunger is now a looming reality for millions — an upsetting reversal in a country that has traditionally been a global leader in areas of agricultural production. Food costs are soaring, and access to basic goods is limited due to the effects of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The situation is being exacerbated by severe flooding and the impacts of climate change. Once again, it is the most vulnerable who are suffering the most. Ireland and the European Union will continue to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to those who need it most. As we heard from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, only genuinely inclusive politics can be the foundation for addressing the acute challenges that the Sudan is facing. The military’s announcement that it would withdraw from the political process in order to allow space for real dialogue is positive — but only if rhetoric is accompanied by action. We urge the military to facilitate an environment that is conducive to genuine progress. The Special Representative of the Secretary- General told us that there is an opportunity to end the crisis. While there may be an opening, all stakeholders need to put aside their differences and grasp this opportunity to shape the Sudan’s political future in a spirit of compromise and consensus. The window of opportunity to chart a path back to a civilian-led democratic transition may not be open for long. We call for redoubled support from the international community in order to facilitate consensus-building among the Sudan’s democratic stakeholders and to bolster the role of UNITAMS and the trilateral mechanism. For that process to have any chance of success, women must be fully and meaningfully involved, and there is more work to be done in that regard, as we heard from Mr. Mudawi. I am deeply concerned about continued reports of excessive use of force across the country against peaceful protesters by the military authorities and associated armed groups. That is unacceptable and must end. All human rights violations and serious crimes against civilians, including sexual violence and violations against children in armed conflict, must be investigated and those responsible held to account in a timely manner. Ultimately, we have to get to a point where the military accepts the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people. It must resist the temptation to cling to illegitimate power and work in partnership with its Sudanese brothers and sisters in order to realize a better future. While the political process develops in Khartoum, the authorities continue to have a responsibility to protect their own people throughout the entire country. Recently in West Darfur and Blue Nile, hundreds of civilians were massacred. I want to express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. The authorities must do everything they can to protect civilians, ensure accountability and tackle the root causes of the violence. That includes making real progress on the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement and the Sudanese National Plan on the Protection of Civilians. In conclusion, let me reiterate my call for all Sudanese stakeholders to come together to find a way out of this political stalemate. The stakes are too high for the people of the Sudan, and the risks too great for the stability of the region, if they do not do so. Now is the time to restore the Sudan’s democratic transition for the benefit of all its people.

We thank today’s briefers for their insights and thank, in particular, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for his tireless efforts. Almost 11 months after the military takeover, our main message remains the same  — only a civilian- led transitional Government and a clear, but realistic, timetable for elections can resolve the political crisis and pave the way for the full resumption of international partnerships with the Sudan. The announcement by the Head of the transitional Sovereign Council, Lieutenant General Al-Burhan, that the military forces will withdraw from the political scene once a civilian Government is in place is an important signal, and we hold the military and security forces to that commitment. There can be no return to authoritarian rule or a normalization of the current situation. We therefore also welcome the publication of the Sudan Bar Association’s draft transitional constitutional framework, which is the result of in-depth discussions involving a wide range of actors. Together with other constructive initiatives, those efforts  — led by the Sudanese people themselves — are evidence that it is possible to break the current impasse. We now call on all stakeholders to maintain the momentum that has been created and ensure that women and youth are part of the process. Any agreement or Government resulting from a non-inclusive process will lack credibility with the Sudanese people and the international community. The tripartite initiative of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development is well placed to facilitate and support the Sudanese stakeholders in those efforts. We are deeply concerned about the reports of increased violence in parts of the Sudan, including well-documented cases of sexual and gender-based violence, as well as grave violations against children. The Government has a fundamental responsibility to take concrete measures to actively protect all civilians. It is also its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance. Bureaucratic impediments can and should be removed without delay. The signatories to the Juba Peace Agreement and other armed actors also have the same responsibility to abide by humanitarian principles. We would like to highlight that there are some positive developments, as described in the Secretary- General’s report (S/2022/667). For example, we welcome the graduation of the first batch of the joint security-keeping force. As Mr. Perthes said, that is an important first step towards a genuine united force. The next step is to ensure that the newly graduated forces are deployed and equipped to fulfil their tasks. Other dimensions of security-sector reform should also follow, as per the security provisions in the Juba Peace Agreement. Mobilizing resources is first and foremost the responsibility of the authorities, with the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan mandated to provide support, including through the Permanent Ceasefire Committee. The economic crisis, marked by high inflation and shortages, is having an alarming impact on food security and livelihoods. People in marginalized and war-affected areas are particularly vulnerable. They have no safety nets. We must scale up humanitarian action to meet emerging needs and prevent an even more dire situation next year. Finally, the current conflict dynamic in the Horn of Africa should be of vital concern to the Council, especially the impact of renewed fighting in Tigray, which will have serious and immediate consequences for neighbouring countries. We encourage and support the African Union and the United Nations in using their good offices to reduce tension and promote dialogue.

At the outset, I thank Mr. Perthes, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Sudan, for his comprehensive briefing on recent developments in the Sudan, including the most recent efforts of the trilateral mechanism. We also followed the briefing by Mr. Ibrahim Mudawi and welcome the participation of Ambassador Al-Harith Mohamed in today’s meeting. A clear path out of the current political situation has yet to emerge. However, despite the mounting challenges facing the Sudan, the United Arab Emirates believes that tangible progress remains possible and requires serious support from the international community. With regard to the updates on the efforts of the trilateral mechanism, including the ongoing engagement with Sudanese stakeholders, we note that the meeting on 8 June stressed the importance of holding an inclusive dialogue across all segments of Sudanese society to reach a sustainable agreement. We also note that the meeting on 9 June aimed at bridging differences of opinion marked a necessary step towards promoting national interests and prioritizing reason and wisdom in overcoming such differences for the benefit of the brotherly people of the Sudan. We also hope that the military component’s announcement regarding its withdrawal from the negotiations facilitated by the trilateral mechanism will help the political forces reach consensus on the formation of a technocratic Government. To that end, and as we have noted previously, Sudanese ownership of the political process is essential to the ensure of the transitional process. With regard to the difficult economic situation, which is compounded by dire humanitarian conditions that have been exacerbated by flooding and severe food insecurity, it is important for international donors to consider revising their recent decisions, which could prevent the collapse of the Sudanese economy and assist in its recovery. The international community should also intensify its support for the Sudan in order to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the impact of climate change. In that context, we again express our sincere condolences to the Sudan, its brotherly people and the families of the victims of the devastating floods. We also underscore the ongoing commitment of the United Arab Emirates to providing relief assistance through the air bridge that we launched recently in support of those affected in the Sudan. Turning to the security situation, we believe that national mechanisms in the Sudan are important to the de-escalation of tensions, including the facilitation of several local peace agreements in response to clashes among tribes in West and South Darfur. In addition, although the Sudan has received limited support for the full implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, considerable progress has been made in security arrangements in Darfur, as reflected, for example, in the efforts of the Permanent Ceasefire Committee and the recent graduation of the first class of the joint security-keeping force. In that regard, we recall that the current stage requires that the international community intensify its efforts and provide technical and financial support so the Sudan can achieve more progress to ensure the restoration of stability throughout Darfur. In conclusion, the United Arab Emirates reaffirms its support for the aspirations of the Sudanese people and reiterates its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of the Sudan.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his comprehensive briefing. We commend him and his team for supporting the people of the Sudan and their aspirations to restore a civilian-led transition to democracy. The United States continues to fully support 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 political process to restore a civilian-led transition to democracy. Following the public commitment of Lieutenant General Al-Burhan and Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, to accepting a civilian agreement on a new Government, we will welcome an inclusive dialogue among civilian pro- democracy parties on developing new constitutional arrangements and a civilian-led transitional Government. Such arrangements should clearly define a timeline for free and fair elections, procedures for selecting a transitional prime minister and other key officials, the authority and the role of the military, and dispute resolution mechanisms to help avoid future political crises. Full respect for freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly is vital. We have consistently condemned violence against the unjust detention of peaceful protesters and call for those responsible to be held accountable. We support the Sudanese people’s calls for accountability for incidents of violence, including through transitional justice mechanisms. We condemn the recent violence in Darfur, Blue Nile and elsewhere, which only deepens the dire humanitarian situation on the ground, erodes the gains of the Juba Peace Agreement and hinders efforts to achieve sustainable peace. The ongoing violence demonstrates how urgent it is to see the Juba Peace Agreement implemented, including the full deployment of the security-keeping forces in Darfur, inclusive security- sector reform, robust international monitoring and reporting mechanisms and comprehensive, inclusive and transparent transitional justice processes, including accountability for violence against civilians and other human rights abuses and violations. Finally, we are also concerned about the heavy rains and flash flooding that continue to affect tens of thousands of people across the Sudan, events that underscore the continuing impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. The United States supports the provision of safe drinking-water hygiene kits, emergency shelter items and more to the worst-affected communities. Long-standing United States Agency for International Development disaster-preparedness programmes in the Sudan are also responding through the distribution of pre-positioned relief supplies.

Let me begin by thanking Mr. Volker Perthes, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Sudan, and Mr. Ibrahim Mudawi for their briefings. I also welcome the delegation of the Sudan to this meeting. Our delegation will raise three points. First, we are concerned about the violence both in Darfur and the Blue Nile region. We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims. We are distressed by rising intercommunal violence and regret that the fighting has significantly displaced Sudanese women and men and their children. We call on the Sudan’s authorities to increase efforts to protect civilians in those areas and enhance accountability. Conditions conduive for the safe return of displaced persons are also vital. Secondly, we regard the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement as one of the cornerstones of addressing the root causes of conflict in Darfur, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile region. Accordingly, we commend the Sudanese authorities for the progress in establishing the joint security-keeping force in Darfur. However, quicker and bolder implementation of the Agreement is necessary. Otherwise, the Juba Peace Agreement will fail to inspire credibility for Sudanese civilians. After all, frequent outbreaks of violence have shown that palliative measures alone cannot provide security to civilians in Darfur and the Two Areas. Thirdly, we consider the transition to democracy to be another cornerstone of addressing the root causes of conflict in the country. We therefore welcome the Sudanese Bar Association’s draft transitional constitution. We appreciate the active participation of several civil society representatives in the Association’s drafting committee. Above all, we reiterate our support for the trilateral mechanism’s crucial work. We regard as particularly critical the facilitation efforts of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. An urgent way out of the stalemate that Sudanese society has reached is necessary. In order to break that deadlock, we underscore our support for a political dialogue that is inclusive and Sudanese-owned and that paves the way for a legitimate democratic transition in the Sudan.

I thank Special Representative Perthes for his briefing and welcome the Permanent Representative of the Sudan to today’s meeting. I also listened carefully to Mr. Mudawi’s remarks. The Sudan is now at a critical stage in its political transition. While political challenges and uncertainties remain, the relevant parties have stayed the course of dialogue and consultations in search of a way to restore the transitional Government and continue the political transition. We noted the announcement by the Sudanese military in July to withdraw from the political dialogue to allow space for political forces to form a Government. Political groups have put forward many proposals for the establishment of a Government. The trilateral mechanism of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development has also been working to facilitate internal political dialogue in the Sudan. The facts have repeatedly proven that the Sudan’s problems can be resolved only by finding a path that aligns with its national conditions and the interests of the country and its people, while the imposition of external solutions and the single-minded pursuit of quick results will not be conducive to lasting political stability. The international community should adhere to the principle of a Sudanese-led and -owned process while remaining as patient as necessary with regard to intra-Sudanese consultations and dialogue, as well as offering support and encouragement to the political efforts of all Sudanese parties. In response to the recent intercommunal clashes in Darfur, the Sudanese Government promptly took measures to fulfil its responsibility for the protection of civilians. Some progress has been made in the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, as the Permanent Ceasefire Committee continues to play its role in eliminating violent conflict. Moreover, the first cohort of 2,000 soldiers in Darfur’s joint security- keeping force successfully graduated, which would not have been possible without the sustained political input of the Sudanese Government and relevant signatories. It should be noted that financial shortfalls are hindering the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement on the ground. The international community should doubly cherish that hard-won Agreement and provide financial and technical support to accelerate its implementation. The sanctions imposed by the Council in relation to Darfur have severely restricted the Sudanese Government’s ability to maintain stability and protect civilians there. Until they are lifted, such measures should be adjusted in the light of the evolving situation. China regrets that the Council was not able to set benchmarks to adjust the sanctions imposed on the Sudan before 31 August, as required by the relevant resolutions. We urge the penholder to earnestly fulfil its responsibilities, resume consultations as soon as possible and spare no effort to achieve consensus. We stress that the benchmarks should be clear, well- defined and realistic and should not go beyond the Darfur issue or existing sanctions measures, and neither should they become a political tool to delay the lifting of sanctions against the Sudan. The Government of the Sudan stated its position on the benchmarks in a letter dated 31 August addressed to the Council, which deserves a positive response from the penholder and other Council members. At present, the Sudan’s economy and the Sudanese people’s livelihoods continue to deteriorate as droughts and floods take turns hitting the country. Food insecurity and displacement are urgent issues that need to be solved. The humanitarian situation in the country also presents grave challenges. At a time when the Sudanese people are most in need, the politically motivated suspension of economic aid and debt relief will aggravate the Sudan’s economic and humanitarian stress, rather than helping it to free itself from its current predicament. China calls upon the relevant countries and international organizations to adopt responsible policies, to resume international assistance to the Sudan as soon as possible and to assist the country through the provision of economic and humanitarian relief. China sincerely supports the Sudan’s peace and development and attaches no political conditions in doing so. In the wake of the severe floods that have affected multiple areas in the Sudan, China immediately sent a message of sympathy, to be followed by disaster relief assistance. China will continue to strengthen exchange and cooperation in various fields between the two countries and provide support and assistance to the Sudan to the best of its ability.

Let me begin by thanking Special Representative Volker Perthes for his detailed briefing on the activities of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). I also thank Mr. Ibrahim Mudawi for his presentation. The political transition process that began three years ago continues to face obstacles on the ground. While recent months have witnessed some welcome developments, a stalemate in the process remains. The latest announcements by the leadership of the Sovereign Council, the annulment of the nationwide emergency and the release of political detainees, as well as a decrease in security incidents, are positive signs. We reiterate that a Sudanese-led, Sudanese-owned, inclusive and credible political dialogue remains critical in efforts to find a lasting solution to the current impasse. In that context, we note the initiatives taken by the trilateral mechanism, including its advocacy for the creation of conducive conditions that could enable negotiations between the military and civilians. We encourage the mechanism to continue its efforts and assist the Sudanese stakeholders in finding a way forward. We continue to underscore the importance of implementing the Juba Peace Agreement. While the pace of implementation of various provisions of the Agreement has remained slow, we note the integration of 2,000 armed movements members into the joint security-keeping force, as well as the signing of the native administration legislation. We also note the progress made with regard to transitional security arrangements for Darfur through the activities of the Permanent Ceasefire Committee. That momentum needs to be sustained in the coming days. The prevailing intercommunal violence in West Darfur can be tackled effectively only by prioritizing reconciliation and addressing the political and security- related issues. The signing of local peace agreements should be supported by the provision of necessary resources. The Mission’s support to the Sudan will be critical during the coming months, particularly in assisting the political transition, the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement and peacebuilding efforts. The Security Council’s ongoing deliberations on the benchmarks for its sanctions on the Sudan, which are supervised and implemented by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan, must also consider the complex interplay of local factors at work without resorting to an overly prescriptive approach. We have noted the penholders’ decision to keep a decision on sanctions benchmarks for the Sudan in abeyance. That is a welcome move that keeps the Council united on a sensitive issue such as sanctions. On the economic front, the suspension of a significant portion of international donor assistance, together with the pause in engagement by international financial institutions, has severely affected the flow of overseas development assistance. The funding shortfalls are also having an impact on the activities of humanitarian actors and their ability to meet growing needs. India has long-standing relations with the Sudan and its people. Over the years we have assisted the Sudan with several projects, including with concessional lines of credit, capacity-building and humanitarian assistance. We hope to see it emerge as a prosperous, peaceful and stable nation and will continue to support the country and its people. We remain confident that the people of the Sudan will overcome their current challenges and press on towards securing a stable and prosperous future.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council (A3) — Ghana, Kenya and my own country, Gabon. I thank Special Representative Volker Perthes for his briefing. We also took note of the presentation by Mr. Ibrahim Mudawi, a representative of civil society. And I would like to thank my brother Ambassador, Mr. Harold Agyeman, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan, for his report on the activities of the Committee. I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan in today’s meeting. The A3 stands in solidarity with the people of the Sudan amid its ongoing political, economic, security and humanitarian challenges. We also recognize that there are opportunities that must be seized in order to make progress in the Sudan. At the political level, the protracted stalemate among the parties on establishing a viable political process to restore the country to a democratic transition process is rolling back the gains that the Sudan made after the 2019 revolution. We encourage all Sudanese stakeholders to heed the call by the African Union and the international community to unconditionally participate in the Sudanese-owned and -led process under the facilitation of the trilateral mechanism made up of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union and the United Nations. We welcome the publication last week of a new draft constitutional framework, a key step in the stabilization process in the Sudan. To that end, we call on the Sudanese authorities and all stakeholders, both civilian and military, to commit to the negotiations on the constitutional framework and embrace an inclusive and constructive dialogue representing all segments of society, including women and young people. All the parties must show flexibility, given the urgency of the situation on the ground and the weariness expressed by the population during the various demonstrations. The A3 welcomed some of the progress made during the reporting period, including the signing of native administration legislation by the Governor of Darfur in accordance with the Juba Peace Agreement, as well as the completion of the training of the first group of the joint security-keeping force. We also welcomed the releases of political detainees, which are an essential confidence-building measure. We hope those positive signals will be the basis for a new chapter in the political process. The A3 further acknowledges the outcome of the thirty-ninth IGAD Extraordinary Summit held in Nairobi, including the meeting between Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and General Al-Burhan with a view to defusing tensions in the Fashaqah border area. We sincerely hope that this positive step, which is important for regional stability, will bear the expected fruits. It is essential that neighbouring States give priority to the peaceful settlement of disputes. (spoke in French) On the security front, the A3 remains deeply concerned about the recurring intercommunal clashes in several regions of the country, particularly West Darfur and the Blue Nile region. In that regard, we welcome the steps taken by the Sudanese authorities to end the violence through the signing of cessation of hostilities agreements between members of the communities in conflict. We believe the Government could take additional steps to address the root causes of those conflicts, which will require the full participation of local communities, civil society and displaced persons in the peace process. We also take note of the report submitted by the Sudan on 8 September to the President of the Security Council on the progress in implementing the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians. We urge the Government of the Sudan, with the support of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) and the United Nations country team, to redouble its efforts and accelerate the implementation of the remaining benchmarks. The deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Sudan is worrying. The current economic crisis, the adverse effects of climate change and the risk of food shortages continue to worsen the situation. We note with deep concern the impact of climate change on people’s lives, livelihoods and security. Cycles of flood and drought are exacerbating an already fragile situation in vulnerable regions of the Sudan, causing massive displacement. In view of the immense humanitarian needs, the A3 echoes the Secretary-General’s call to the international community to mobilize funding for humanitarian operations. In addition, we urge the Sudanese authorities to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, including in the conflict areas. The A3 commends UNITAMS and the United Nations country teams for their efforts to continue providing assistance to the people of the Sudan, despite the difficult environment. We urge UNITAMS to continue working closely with the Sudanese authorities in order to facilitate the rapid implementation of development plans and programmes. In conclusion, the A3 reaffirms its solidarity with the people of the Sudan, as well as its continued support for their efforts to achieve a lasting peace.

We would first of all like to thank Special Representative Perthes and Mr. Mudawi for their briefings. The situation in the Sudan, 11 months after the coup, demonstrates the urgency of re-establishing a functioning civilian Government. It remains clear that the Sudanese people do not accept the usurpation of power by force and that the democratic transition must be civilian-led. The announcement of the withdrawal of the military component of the trilateral mechanism could be an opportunity to facilitate dialogue among the various civilian parties in order to find consensus. We call on all stakeholders to participate constructively in that process. It is also essential that the authorities create an environment conducive to the holding of this dialogue. That includes refraining from using force or arresting protesters and ensuring that the right to expression and peaceful association is respected. Mexico deplores the deaths that occurred during the protests on 30 June. We are also concerned about the reports of sexual harassment and intimidation of women and girls in the context of those protests. We call on the authorities to expedite the work of the committees previously established to investigate possible human rights violations in the context of those protests and to provide them with the resources they need to do their work effectively. The results of the investigations should be made public. Accountability, transitional justice and the implementation of rule-of-law reforms are key to stability and national reconciliation in the Sudan. Progress in the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, apart from a couple of exceptions, has been limited. Political will is crucial to the country’s ability to move forward and achieve results, such as the graduation of 2,000 members of the joint security- keeping force. We also hope that the Permanent Ceasefire Committee will continue its important work to reduce tensions. We are deeply concerned about the uptick in violence in the Blue Nile and Darfur regions since the coup. We urge the authorities to redouble their efforts to protect civilians, improve early-warning mechanisms and ensure accountability. As in other cases, the proliferation of weapons is one of the main factors fuelling the violence. The return of armed groups from Libya to Darfur with heavy weapons and military vehicles, among other things, is a source of great concern. The interruption of the transition period has aggravated the economic and humanitarian situation. As long as no progress is made in the implementation of security measures in Darfur, massive civilian displacement will continue. The most recent analysis of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification shows that the numbers of vulnerable people have increased by 2 million, and that the current total of 11.7 million, which the Special Representative mentioned, will continue to increase as long as the root causes of violence are not addressed. In that regard, we would like to express our deep concern about the obstacles faced by non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in their operations. Mexico calls for ensuring unrestricted access for the United Nations and its partners to provide humanitarian assistance. Lastly, many of the achievements of the transitional Government are at risk of being lost. It is time for all involved in the political process to work together constructively and put the national interests first. It is time to restore a democratic transitional Government and the hope of the Sudanese people that peace and stability are possible.

I too thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his update and Mr. Ibrahim Mudawi, the civil- society briefer, for his insights. We also welcome the representative of the Sudan to this meeting. Albania supports the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). We commend the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and his team’s continued efforts in supporting the Sudanese people and their aspirations to form a credible, civilian-led, democratic Government. Albania is deeply concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in the Sudan, which has worsened after the severe flooding. We offer our condolences to the victims’ families and urge the Sudanese authorities to ensure that all possible measures are in place to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. The humanitarian needs in the Sudan are at a very high level, and the Sudanese authorities must provide unfettered humanitarian access to all who are affected by conflict. The intercommunal violence, particularly in the Blue Nile region, must stop. Albania stands with the Sudanese people and echoes their calls for a life of safety and dignity. In that regard, Albania supports the continued efforts of UNITAMS, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to create conditions that can enable negotiations between the military and civilians. We urge the political actors and prominent military figures who have withdrawn from those talks to go back to the negotiating table and engage in the political process. The critical need for all stakeholders to engage in reaching an agreement and finding a common and comprehensive solution is more urgent than ever. As we heard, no major progress has been made in the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement. The worsening security situation in Darfur and the significant outbreaks of violence in the capital and throughout the country concern us deeply. We condemn in the strongest terms the security forces’ extensive and widespread use of violence on protesters. Albania urges the Sudanese authorities to independently and impartially investigate any allegations of human rights violations or abuses, as well as sexual and gender-based violence, especially when committed by members of the security forces. In conclusion, we applaud the Sudanese Bar Association’s publication of a draft transitional constitutional framework document for the Sudan. That is a significant initiative to build on. Moreover, Sudanese civil society has clearly expressed its desire to be the main character in shaping the future of its country. In that regard, we also encourage the active engagement of women as a constructive step forward in their meaningful participation in democratic processes.

We are grateful to Mr. Volker Perthes, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his information on developments in the Sudan. We have taken note of the report of Mr. Harold Agyeman, Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations and Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan, on the work of that subsidiary body of the Council in the past 90 days. We welcome the participation in today’s meeting of Ambassador Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Sudan to the United Nations. We listened closely to the statement delivered by Mr. Ibrahim Mudawi. The situation of the Sudan continues to be a difficult one. The country’s political landscape remains fractured and polarized. Against the backdrop of the suspension of a significant share of donor funding, its humanitarian and socioeconomic challenges remain unresolved. We are troubled by the deadlock that began in July among the local political forces in negotiations conducted with the facilitation of the trilateral mechanism of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. However, we have also seen many initiatives aimed at addressing the situation. We believe that their success will depend on the degree to which they include the participation of all politically significant actors in the country. In that regard, we welcome the important steps undertaken by the Government of the Sudan to stabilize the political situation and its demonstrated willingness to compromise. We specifically noted the 4 July statement by General Al-Burhan, Head of the Sovereign Council, in which he announced the military leadership’s withdrawal from the internal Sudanese political process in order to enable the civilian politicians to reach agreement among themselves on the new transitional Government, and the military’s announcement of its willingness to dissolve the Sovereign Council while reserving for itself issues of defence and national security. We believe that step demonstrates a responsible and constructive approach on the part of the leadership. We continue to believe that the Sudanese people can and should resolve their internal issues independently. Military intervention in the affairs of a sovereign Sudan is unacceptable. We all know what became of the attempts to create dubious democratizing and socioeconomic schemes based on Western models, which merely compounded the burdens on the people and undermined trust in the civilian transitional authorities. We disagree with the description of the events of 25 October 2021 as a coup in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/667) on the activities of United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), which has been actively promoted by a number of our colleagues on the Council, especially those from the West. We also consider it unacceptable that the report ties the resumption of international development assistance to the Sudan to the transfer of power to a civilian Government. Mobilizing international support for a country dealing with many different problems should be treated as one of the main tasks of a special political mission, not a reward for some achievements or domestic political actions. Otherwise, such conditions could be regarded as manipulative and a tool for putting pressure on the Sudanese authorities. In that connection, we urge the Head of UNITAMS, Mr. Perthes, to act strictly in accordance with his mandate, every component of which deserves equal attention. He might otherwise lose the trust of the Sudanese authorities, and, no less important, of the Sudanese people, which would be a serious blow to the United Nations presence. We would not want that to happen. We fully support the steps taken by the Government of the Sudan to normalize life in Darfur and contain the outbreaks of intercommunal violence. We welcomed the recent completion of the training of the first 2,000-strong contingent of the joint security-keeping force in the region. We also welcomed the Deputy Chairperson of the Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s extended visit to Darfur and the reconciliation initiatives and other measures launched during it. We believe that the Secretary-General should include more information on those efforts in his reports. We believe that the arms embargo imposed on the Sudan 17 years ago no longer corresponds to the current situation in Darfur and is hindering the implementation of the authorities’ in the field of State-building, maintaining law and order, as well as the socioeconomic development of the region. In that regard, we were disappointed by the decision of the United States penholders of the Sudanese sanctions dossier to end work on the Security Council document on benchmarks for lifting the arms embargo. We consider it an irresponsible approach that means that for the second year in a row the Security Council has sabotaged its own decisions on the review of the Sudanese sanctions.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of France. I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Volker Perthes and Mr. Mudawi for their briefings. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan in this meeting. I would like highlight three points. First, we regret the political stalemate that has persisted since the coup d’état of 25 October 2021. We call once again on all the parties to find a way out of the political crisis and make progress on forming a credible civilian Government. We encourage all Sudanese citizens from both civil society and the military to take part in the dialogue by overcoming their differences where the former is concerned and avoiding making them worse where the latter is concerned. We call on the military to refrain from any steps that could prolong the current impasse. France continues to support the joint facilitation of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. We have noted the lifting of the state of emergency and the release of many political prisoners, and we also welcome the opening of investigations of those responsible for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Ending the violence against demonstrators is crucial. In that regard, we are concerned about the continuation of the extensive police powers put in place during the state of emergency. We call for lifting immunity for the security forces and for preserving the evidence of violence against protesters. Furthermore, the right to legal defence of those who are still detained must be respected. Secondly, the political instability continues to exacerbate the security, economic, and humanitarian situation. The absence of legitimate authorities and a positive outlook on the peace process are aggravating the security situation in outlying areas, including Darfur and the Blue Nile region, where there have been major clashes since July. We welcome the integration of 2,000 former combatants into the joint security-keeping force. We also note the information that the Sudan has shared on the implementation of the National Plan for the Protection of Civilians. It is vital that the authorities accelerate the deployment of the joint security-keeping force and the reintegration of the combatants. In the light of the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation, France and the European Union remain committed to the Sudanese people. The Sudan is one of the countries most seriously affected by the worsening food insecurity caused by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The European Union has allocated €41 million to the Sudan to address that situation and will increase the amount to €189 million by the end of the year. So far in 2022 European humanitarian assistance has reached €69 million. Lastly, in partnership with the United Nations, the European Union is continuing its stabilization projects in Darfur and in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states to the tune of €15.75 million. Thirdly, we welcome the Sudan’s efforts to contribute to regional stability in a particularly difficult context. We encourage it to continue to exercise restraint in the border dispute with Ethiopia in the Fashaqah triangle and to continue its helpful role in supporting the transition in Chad and the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. I now resume my functions as the President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

(spoke in French): Since you gave the floor to Mr. Ibrahim Mudawi, Madam President, I hope that I can have a minute or two to respond to his comments. (spoke in English) Accordingly, I think that Mr. Mudawi is an important man, an academician, and I welcomed his statement, but I found it to be a very gloomy account of the current conditions in the Sudan. As he is an academic, I will refer him to Professor Roger Mac Ginty’s book, entitled Everyday Peace, in which the author writes that peace is resilient, growing and persisting within many disruptive elements. It requires transgressing standard narratives and the involvement of actors in peacebuilding. It is therefore is like a weed growing up through concrete. Peacebuilding cannot be achieved through highly politicized methods or by taking sides. Calling a spade a spade sometimes does not help. (spoke in Arabic) I would 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. I also thank all the other speakers for their statements on the Sudan today. The political stakeholders in the Sudan continue their efforts to reach a political consensus. There are various initiatives to reach an agreement among the Sudanese parties with a view to ending the political stalemate and disparity and renew hope in democracy, championed by young Sudanese through their commitment and sacrifices, to build a bright future where the values of freedom, peace and justice prevail. The Sudanese political forces are aware that the current stalemate is an exceptional situation and that the country needs to reach a political consensus that can lead to the formation of a transitional Government that can accomplish the tasks needed for the transition and set the stage for holding general elections in which the people will be able to choose their representatives fairly and freely. I can confirm that the political process is under way and the dialogue will continue. Ultimately all the parties want to prioritize the interests of the Sudan and its security, stability and transition towards the desired civilian democratic rule. Against that background, I would like to focus on four points. First, about two months ago, the Head of the Sovereign Council announced that the military would not participate in the current political process, which I brought up in my previous briefing (see S/PV.9041) to the Security Council in May. The military will withdraw from the political scene to enable the political and revolutionary forces and other national components to form a national technocratic Government that will carry out the tasks needed for the transition. The Head of the Sovereign Council expressed hope that the political and revolutionary forces would engage in an immediate and serious dialogue. He stressed that, after the formation of the executive Government, the Sovereignty Council would be dissolved and a supreme council of the armed forces would be formed to assume command of the uniformed forces and be responsible for defence and security, which are the customary tasks of the armed forces of any country. The political forces, facilitated by the tripartite mechanism, are negotiating to find common ground to lay the foundation for an intra-civilian dialogue and broad political consensus that would ensure the transfer of power to civilians, in accordance with the pledges of the Head of the Sovereign Council. I would like to note that the Sudanese Armed Forces have repeatedly expressed their commitment to sponsoring and protecting the transition in the Sudan until it reaches the desired goals by organizing free and fair elections that reflect the will and aspirations of the Sudanese people. The Sudanese Armed Forces have also committed to preventing any attempt to obstruct the transitional process. Secondly, we affirm our commitment to implementing the Juba Peace Agreement, especially the provisions related to security arrangements. We will spare no effort to engage positively and constructively with other factions that have yet to participate in the peace process. In that context, we renew our commitment to protect civilians in Darfur, especially women and children, in a manner that ensures human dignity and the rights that the Sudan has been committed to upholding since we acceded to the relevant international human rights instruments. We will continue to implement the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians and to form and deploy the joint force for the protection of civilians, which is one of our top priorities in Darfur at this stage. We will also collect unauthorized small arms and implement disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programmes. A few days ago, we sent the Council the fourth progress report on the implementation of our National Plan on the Protection of Civilians. The Council has undoubtedly noticed that the situation in Darfur is improving incrementally, despite some obstacles here and there due to the complex socioeconomic situation, the impact of climate change on the entire region and the scarcity of international financial support for the implementation of the provisions of the Juba Peace Agreement. We hope these issues will receive the attention of the Security Council and donor countries. In that regard, a number of inter-tribal reconciliation meetings have been held in West and South Darfur over the past weeks under the auspices of the Deputy Head of the transitional Sovereign Council. Those meetings have been successful and have enhanced the presence of State institutions and the rule of law, and they have also addressed land disputes and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their villages. In the context of the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, the first batch of 2,000 armed movement members who signed the Juba Peace Agreement has graduated. They constitute the core of the joint security-keeping and civilian protection force in Darfur. The authorized strength of the force will be 12,000 members  — half Government forces and half Darfur armed movement members who signed the Juba Peace Agreement. The Government is using its own scarce resources to supply the force with equipment and vehicles. The training of that first batch is an essential step in the enforcement of the security arrangements, whose proper implementation has faltered due to the lack of international financial support and to the failure of donors to honour their pledges. The Government is facilitating the work of the Permanent Ceasefire Committee, chaired by the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). The Committee is continuing its work in Darfur. We therefore appeal to the international community to provide financial support for the continued implementation of all provisions of the Juba Peace Agreement, especially given that the security arrangements for the Agreement and the related DDR programmes are organizationally, logistically and financially very expensive and complex. We thank the friendly countries that have been supporting those efforts and stress that UNITAMS has a role to play in that regard. Rather than simply saying that the implementation of the Agreement has been slow, what efforts has UNITAMS made to do its part in order to implement the Agreement at the desired pace? Thirdly, the transitional Government has taken economic and financial measures that include deregulating the Sudanese pound against foreign currencies, lifting subsidies on commodities and addressing the Sudan’s accumulated foreign debt. Those measures are necessary if the Sudan is to address the inherited shortcomings of the economic structure. We are also working on increasing productivity and trade and creating favourable conditions to attract investments that would benefit from the Sudan’s promising potential. We look forward to the resumption of cooperation and development aid programmes with bilateral partners so that those economic reforms can achieve their aims. Those are important measures to take instead of simply criticizing the situation. The reforms are important to reduce the impact of foreign debt, access the debt relief for which the Sudan has qualified by taking the necessary steps under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative and complete addressing inherited economic distortion. The international community must bear its responsibility and provide all aspects of humanitarian assistance to the hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighbouring countries and those hosted by the Sudan, in addition to the thousands affected by floods. Fourthly, the Secretary-General’s report to the Council (S/2022/667) failed to mention important issues. For example, we expected the report to refer to the efforts of the Sudanese Government to develop, promote and protect human rights through the Sudan’s cooperation with international human rights mechanisms. The Sudan has twice hosted the human rights expert, most recently in May. We facilitated his mission, and he was able to meet with high-level officials. In addition, the Sudan attended the fiftieth session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva from June to July and has cooperated with the country office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Khartoum and with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, who issued his report from Khartoum for the first time (see S/PV.9113). This is all part of our efforts to promote human rights and justice. The report also made no mention of the various initiatives of respected parties from among the Sudanese people to resolve the current crisis. Instead, the report contained information that went beyond the Mission’s purview. Peacebuilding in the Sudan requires political neutrality. Otherwise, it could negatively affect the political scene and delay consensus. The report also referred to instances of rape and sexual harassment based on hearsay, without the required documentation. Human rights issues fall under the purview of the country office of the OHCHR. As I noted, the Sudan has cooperated with international human rights mechanisms and participated in the most recent session of the Human Rights Council. The statistics in the report of those dead and injured does not include the injuries sustained by police. The Mission should seek and rely on information from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Health and the police. In addition, the source of the information was not mentioned. The report does include the efforts of UNITAMS with regard to the political transition, but it disregards the other three strategic objectives within its mandate. That makes me wonder about the role of UNITAMS in making plans to support the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement and its protocols, especially regarding the security arrangements, the DDR programmes, internally displaced persons, land disputes, hawakir and supporting nomads and herders. Moreover, the Mission has done nothing to provide logistical and financial support for the implementation of the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians. There has also been no progress in the mobilization of economic and development resources and the coordination of humanitarian assistance at the international level, although Mr. Perthes informed me yesterday that he will make efforts this time with the Security Council and the World Bank. In conclusion, I would like to stress that our partners in the transitional process will continue their efforts for its success while emphasizing a commitment to dialogue, which is indispensable to addressing the challenges of the political transition in the Sudan. We reiterate that we will work with the international community in order to address the challenges that hamper the transitional process and impede the attainment of our goals. I wish Mr. Perthes every success.

There are no more names inscribed 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.