S/PV.9211 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional 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/2022/898, 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 would like to thank the Security Council members for the opportunity to speak with them today. They may recall that the last time I briefed the Council (see S/PV.9129) I told them that we might have some good news when I came back in December, and for more than a year now, positive news has been in short supply in the Sudan. Since the military takeover of 25 October 2021, the country has found itself in a multidimensional political, economic and security crisis. The dynamics have continued for more than a couple of weeks, however, in spite of hopes that the Sudan may find a way out of the crisis and embark on a more sustainable new transitional phase. Let me explain those dynamics. Last Monday, 5 December, the military leadership and a broad range of civilian actors signed up to a political framework agreement. It was supposed to lay the ground, after a further round of talks on substance, for a final political accord and the formation of a new civilian Government, leading the country towards recovery and democratic elections over a two-year transitional phase. I would like to commend the efforts by all the Sudanese sides. The military and civilian stakeholders have come a long way from the coup one year ago, and from the military’s announcement in July that it would withdraw from politics, to the latest developments. On 24 October, the trilateral mechanism, that is, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, received a document from the military leadership with their comments and amendments to the draft constitutional document, which had earlier been prepared under the auspices of the Sudanese Bar Association’s steering committee. That represented a significant first break. Concurrently, the civilian signatories to the draft formed a coalition to engage collectively in talks with the military. That coalition and the military then agreed on a two-phase political process to return to a civilian- led transition. The first phase has now been concluded with the signing of the political framework agreement. The second phase is about to begin, and the events of the past two days are the reason that I am not in New York today but talking to the Council from Khartoum. Encouragingly, both the civilian and the military stakeholders have become more transparent about preliminary understandings and have increased their efforts to reach out to other actors and to the public. A final political agreement, once reached, should result in a civilian Government that should be in a better position to address the security, humanitarian and economic situations, pave the way towards building a democratic State based on human rights, the rule of law and gender equality, and provide a future for the young men and women of the Sudan. It will also enable a resumption of peace talks with movements that have yet to make peace with the Government and for the restoration of broad-based international support to the Sudan. The fact that we are approaching the end of the year makes this an opportune moment to reflect on the challenges of the past 13 months. The coup and the subsequent political impasse plunged the country into a state of uncertainty and insecurity. Tensions escalated into violence in areas that had previously been calm. More than 900 people have reportedly been killed and many more injured in violent conflict since the beginning of this year. In the past month there were significant clashes in Blue Nile, West Kordofan and Central Darfur. The resurgence of large-scale violence demonstrates the increasing fragility at the State level, exacerbated by the continued Government vacuum. The local authorities simply lack the capacity and resources to protect civilians where the root causes of fundamental grievances have yet to be addressed. Since my previous briefing to the Council on the Blue Nile in September, a state of emergency has been imposed in that region. While the levels of violence have subsided, the situation remains precarious. Intercommunal violence also occurred in Lagawa locality, in West Kordofan, in mid-October, killing at least 19 people and displacing 65,000 people. In central Darfur, the past two months have witnessed intense fighting between the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), led by Abdul Wahid Al-Nur, and the Rapid Support Forces. The latest episode of violence in Jebel Marra occurred in November and resulted in the deaths of 13 civilians and the displacement of 5,600. The SLA leader, Abdul Wahid Al-Nur, confirmed to me during my recent visit to Juba that he would “neither attack nor escalate”. Let me urge all sides to at least commit to that principle. Across the Sudan, the conflict has displaced more than 260,000 people since the beginning of the year. These are human-made catastrophes, often caused by disputes over access to resources and seemingly exacerbated by political manipulation in more than a few cases. And all of that is compounding natural disasters and growing humanitarian needs. Humanitarian partners estimate that about 15.8 million people — one third of the population  — will need humanitarian assistance in 2023. That is an increase of 1.5 million as compared to 2022 — the biggest in a decade. In 2022, the number of flood-affected people surpassed that of last year and reached 349,000 across the country. High inflation continues to reduce households’ purchasing power, with people unable to meet their basic needs. While the United Nations and partner organizations managed to aid 9.1 million people in need from January to September, the 2022 humanitarian response plan is funded at only 41.3 per cent. The human rights situation remains concerning. Protests against military rule have continued and largely remained peaceful. However, security forces have more often than not acted or reacted with excessive use of force. In the latest incident on 24 November, two protesters were killed in Omdurman, bringing the total death toll among protesters since the coup to 121, mainly in the capital. In addition, more than 8,000 people have been injured. As I have stated repeatedly before the Council, it is incumbent on the authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and to refrain from the excessive use of force, even when provoked. Equally important is to ensure proper due process for defendants facing trial. In that context, the visit to the Sudan last month by the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk  — his first field visit since assuming his duties — is testament to the unwavering commitment of the United Nations to upholding human rights in the Sudan. I thank the Sudanese authorities for facilitating Mr. Türk’s visit. The meaningful participation of women and young people is a critical factor for the success of the political process and the transition. The women’s rights group, a diverse group of non-partisan women from different regions, continues to engage with all parties to ensure women’s rights in any future agreement. The group continues to call for women’s meaningful participation in the process at a minimum of 40 per cent across delegations. I am encouraged that the women’s rights group has gained broader acceptance and that some of women’s demands were included in the framework agreement. In recent months, the trilateral mechanism has exerted substantial efforts to encourage Sudanese stakeholders to participate in the political process. That includes meetings with resistance committees and other civil-society actors. In mid-November, the trilateral mechanism visited Kassala to listen to various stakeholders, officials, civil society, women, young people and tribal leaders from the east of the Sudan, which arguably is the country’s most marginalized and least represented region. Last week, the trilateral mechanism travelled to Juba to meet with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) leader, Abdelaziz El-Hilu, and SLA leader Abdul Wahid Al-Nur to inform them about the political process and hear their views. While the signing of the framework agreement is an important breakthrough, critical contentious issues still need to be addressed in the final agreement. Those issues include security sector reform and the merger of forces, transitional justice, the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, the status of the dismantling committee and the country’s east. We would also deem it useful to have an exchange in this second phase about the economic and developmental priorities of the new Government. UNITAMS and the United Nations country team have already begun to coordinate with the international community on the ground here to ensure the provision of a package of support for a new transitional period. While progress on the political track is encouraging, it can still be derailed by challenges and spoilers. As the Sudan gets closer to reaching a final political agreement, those who do not see their interests advanced by a political settlement may escalate attempts to undermine the process. A sufficiently inclusive process can help safeguard against their influence. Concerted advocacy from the international community is also needed to encourage constructive positions on the part of those who are not, or do not want to be, part of the process, as well as those who have yet to join it. In conclusion, let me once again commend those Sudanese who two days ago took the courageous step of agreeing on and signing up to the political framework agreement. That was a truly Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led process. The framework agreement now offers a path for realizing the aspirations of the Sudan’s young people, women and men. However, working together with the United Nations, the members of the Security Council and the larger international community in support of those efforts can help the Sudanese to move forward on the path they have chosen.

I thank Mr. Perthes for his briefing. 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 today and the continued herculean efforts of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan at our meeting today. First, I would like to welcome the signing of the political framework agreement as an important step towards a return to a civilian-led transitional Government in the Sudan. The efforts by all the parties involved to agree on a genuinely civilian-led transitional governance arrangement are commendable, but there is much more to be done. We now urge all the Sudanese parties to urgently unite behind a final agreement to form a civilian-led Government. The United Kingdom condemns the killing of two further protesters in the reporting period and calls for the security forces to exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to peaceful protest. Secondly, we should be clear that the consequences of a delay in reaching a final agreement would be severe. Approximately one third of the Sudan’s population is projected to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023. A concerted effort to finalize negotiations is essential in order to address the Sudan’s urgent humanitarian and economic challenges. A civilian-led transitional Government can put the country on the road to recovery and allow for the full resumption of international support. The United Kingdom is working with partners to coordinate significant economic support for a civilian-led transitional Government once it is formed. Thirdly, as Special Representative of the Secretary- General Perthes told us, the security situation across the Sudan also remains fragile. We reiterate our deep concern about the significant violence in the Blue Nile and West Kordofan states. We urge the Sudanese authorities to implement the security arrangements of the Juba Peace Agreement, engage with the impacted communities to restore peace and fulfil their responsibility to protect civilians. In conclusion, the United Kingdom commends the compromises made by all parties to agree on the initial political framework. We call for an inclusive dialogue on the outstanding issues to commence without delay and support a strong role for UNITAMS, along with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, in facilitating those Sudanese-led negotiations. The United Kingdom is committed to supporting the Sudan’s journey to democracy and to the realization of the Sudanese people’s calls for freedom, peace and justice. We hope the Council will be able to give collective public expression to the latest developments in a press statement shortly.

I thank Special Representative Perthes for his update and his tireless efforts, as well as those of his team — together with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU). Norway welcomes the signing this week, in Khartoum, of the political framework agreement, an important agreement made possible through the leadership and ownership of a broad group of Sudanese actors and with the effective facilitation of the AU- IGAD-United Nations trilateral mechanism. This is a truly homegrown solution. We also thank the Special Representative for the update on second phase of the political process. We call on all stakeholders to maintain the momentum that has been created. The trilateral mechanism will have an important role to play in the facilitation of the second phase. It is essential that the outcome of the second phase be a Sudanese solution. Women and young people must also have a meaningful and constructive role in the process going forward. Any agreement resulting from a non-inclusive process will lack credibility with the Sudanese people and the international community. We now need all hands on deck to prepare for the day after, both in the Sudan and at the international level. The next civilian transitional Government must receive timely and relevant support, especially against the backdrop of the economic crisis, which is having an alarming impact on food security and livelihoods. People in marginalized and war-affected areas are particularly vulnerable. We must scale up humanitarian action to meet emerging needs and prevent an even more dire situation next year. Norway remains concerned about the continued use of excessive force against protesters and civilians in the Sudan. That must stop now. For an inclusive and democratic transition to succeed, a conducive environment must be ensured. People have the right to assemble peacefully, and the Sudanese authorities have an obligation to ensure that this right can be exercised without fear of repercussions. It is also the Government’s responsibility to protect all civilians and to allow — and facilitate — full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance. Finally, as this is my last meeting on the Sudan during our current tenure in the Council, allow me to end my statement with the following reflection. It is important for the Security Council to support African solutions. The developments in the Sudan during the past 14 months would have been a prime opportunity to do so. While we have seen a clear and decisive approach from the AU, the Council has not been able to speak with one voice in support of the tripartite mechanism and the political process. Instead, with its silence, it sent unclear signals to the parties, making progress difficult. Supporting African solutions cannot only be a figure of speech; it must translate into action. The Security Council should seize this opportunity to rally behind the AU and IGAD and express its full support to the tripartite mechanism and the political process. Norway stands behind the Sudanese people in their aspirations to move towards a democratic transition and elections.

I thank Special Representative Perthes for his briefing, and we welcome the presence of the representative of the Sudan in today’s meeting. Ireland welcomes the breakthrough in the political process towards a new democratic transition in the Sudan. We commend the Sudanese people on taking this important step on the road back to a hopeful future, and we very much appreciate the efforts of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in supporting and facilitating that progress. We have seen the damaging consequences of last year’s coup on all aspects of Sudanese life  — from politics and security to the economy. For the Sudan to recover from this setback, the military must now live up to its commitment to hand over power to a civilian-led Government. It must create a conducive environment for the next stage of the political process. In practical terms that means that the military and security services must stop the use of force against protesters, halt unlawful detention and ensure the right of peaceful assembly and association. The release of high-level political prisoners earlier this week was a critical confidence-building measure. However, other ordinary Sudanese people who simply called for the return to democratic transition remain in detention. Their freedom would truly be a sign that this agreement marks the beginning of a return of the people to power. A lasting political agreement requires the buy-in of the people of the Sudan  — not just in Khartoum, but throughout the country. It cannot be just another elite bargain. The Sudan has seen enough of those after over 30 years of dictatorship and war. The years since the 2019 revolution have seen a widening trust gap. That must be addressed during this second phase of the negotiations. Youth, civil society, women and the community-level resistance committees have played key roles in the Sudan’s journey towards democracy. Women were missing from the room on Monday. The commitment of 40 per cent participation by women, set out in the new accord, must be realized. They must be at the negotiating table, in decision-making bodies and in all areas of public life. We encourage all stakeholders to meaningfully engage in the political process and to put aside vested interests and entrenched positions. A spirit of consensus is now needed to deliver for the people of the Sudan. As we just now heard from Mr. Perthes, there are a number of vital issues that need to be resolved in the coming weeks. In particular, accountability and transitional justice will be crucial to lasting peace. As the accord acknowledges, that must deliver justice for the victims of both current and past crimes in the Sudan. The important work done by Sudanese experts during the previous transitional period can be a useful starting point. The Sudan can also draw upon United Nations expertise and lessons from other countries — such as Colombia — that have found ways to deliver victim-centred justice. As the United Nations High Commissioner said after his recent visit to the Sudan, human rights and justice have to be at the core of that transition. The political crisis has distracted the authorities from delivering on their responsibility to provide security in the Sudan. It has also emboldened some actors to take advantage of the crisis in order to seize resources and positions. The rise in subnational violence has been alarming. A return to a civilian- led Government and security sector reform is key to resolving conflicts such as those we have seen in Blue Nile, Darfur and Kordofan. Finally, we remain very worried about the humanitarian situation. It continues to deteriorate and is made worse by the economic crisis, the effects of climate change and hunger that is exacerbated by conflict. Ireland and the European Union will continue to support the Sudan in alleviating this humanitarian crisis. Indeed, this month Ireland made an additional contribution to humanitarian partners in the Sudan. We will continue to stand with the Sudanese people as they emerge from the shadow of the coup. In addition, Ireland supports the proposal for a press statement welcoming the political agreement, as mentioned by the representative of the United Kingdom.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council (A3), namely, Gabon, Kenya and my country, Ghana. I thank Special Representative Volker Perthes for his briefing. I welcome the participation of the representative of the Sudan in this meeting. Even as we meet, the Sudan continues to experience significant economic, security and political challenges. However, we welcome the signing of the political framework agreement between civilian political forces and the military institution on 5 December, which is an important first step in returning the country to the democratic transition process. We commend the political progress being made in the light of the ongoing dialogue among the various political stakeholders in the Sudan. The Sudanese people have shown resilience, and we believe that, with the support of the Security Council, through the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), as well as the leadership of the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the assistance of the international community, they will overcome the present political, economic, security and humanitarian challenges. Based on the contents of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2022/898), the A3 would like to focus its statement on the following four issues: the political, security and economic situations and the UNITAMS mandate. On the political situation, the A3 notes with appreciation the progress made so far in the drafting of a new constitution, spearheaded by the Sudanese Bar Association. We commend the inclusive manner in which the draft constitution was developed by a committee composed of various political party groupings, civil- society organizations and prominent academics and was signed by the Forces for Freedom and Change-Central Council, the Original Democratic Unionist Party, the Popular Congress Party and Ansar Al-Sunna, as well as a range of civil-society organizations, women’s groups and professional associations. We commend the trilateral mechanism, consisting of the United Nations, the AU and IGAD, for its continued efforts in supporting the Sudanese stakeholders in fostering a political dialogue leading to the signing of the political framework agreement. The A3 appeals to the signatories to continue with their efforts to broaden the support base, particularly working with non-signatories to build consensus and address the remaining issues. Furthermore, we urge the Sudanese authorities, which have a fundamental responsibility for creating an environment conducive to viable inclusive political dialogue, to embrace the progress made by releasing all political detainees as a critical confidence-building measure in that regard. On the security front, the A3 remains deeply concerned that, despite the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement on 3 August, there has been a recurrent outbreak of intercommunal violence in Darfur, leading to general insecurity, as well as intercommunal clashes, armed conflict and criminality, in Blue Nile state. Such clashes could undermine the ongoing political dialogue and peace efforts. The A3 is gravely concerned about the recurrent and deliberate destruction of farms during the rainy season, which exacerbates the already dire economic situation in the Sudan. We call on the Government of the Sudan to investigate those incidents of insecurity and criminal activities and hold the perpetrators accountable. While we welcome the steps taken by the Government of the Sudan to respond to the situation, more efforts are needed, including the expeditious implementation of the National Plan for the Protection of Civilians. We call on all parties to remain faithful to their commitments, including the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement. The A3 notes with concern the dire economic situation in the Sudan and the global food crisis, which has pushed the prices of staples beyond reach for many already vulnerable Sudanese. As noted in the Secretary- General’s report, the prices of sorghum and millet rose by between 10 and 35 per cent in August, reaching new record highs, and the 2022 harvested area and yields are likely to be affected due to climate change, as the Sudan has witnessed below-average early-season rains, resulting in localized losses due to floods and soaring prices of agricultural inputs, including fuel. The A3 continues to join 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 so as to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable, particularly women and children. The A3 wishes to draw attention to the fact that the Sudan continues to receive new refugees from neighbouring countries, and that compounds the current socioeconomic challenges being experienced by the country. The A3 again urges the international donor community and international financial institutions to reconsider the temporary suspension of aid to the Sudan and continue their support programmes and projects to sustain the lives and livelihoods of the civilian population. We commend the efforts of international humanitarian donors, which continue to extend vital assistance to the people of the Sudan. The role of UNITAMS in supporting the democratic transition process and creating conditions for advancing socioeconomic development in the Sudan cannot be underestimated. We take note of the achievements of UNITAMS highlighted in section III of the Secretary- General’s report, and we pledge our support to the Mission in implementing the four objectives. We take note with appreciation of the continued efforts of engagement between UNITAMS and the Sudanese authorities, as well as other stakeholders, with a view to facilitating 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 calls for a Sudanese-led solution to the political impasse to achieve sustainable peace, security and greater economic development. The A3 also supports the press statement, submitted by the United Kingdom, in respect of the signing of the Sudan political framework agreement on Monday, 5 December.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his comprehensive briefing. The United States welcomes the announcement by the Sudanese parties of an initial political framework agreement. That is an essential first step towards re-establishing the Sudan’s democratic transition. There is now a credible path to a final agreement that would take the Sudan out of its current political crisis. We commend the parties’ efforts to garner support for the framework agreement from a broad range of Sudanese actors and their plans for an additional phase for continued inclusive dialogue on key issues of concern. But time is of the essence. We urge all Sudanese actors to engage in dialogue in good faith and to establish a civilian-led transitional Government as soon as possible. We fully support the role of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in facilitating the next phase of dialogue and concluding negotiations. The United States reiterates the need for the Sudanese Government, including the military and security services, to fully respect the freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly. The Government and the military must also fulfil their responsibility to protect the population and hold those responsible for violence against civilians accountable. We call on the Government to create a more conducive environment for negotiations by releasing political detainees, ceasing violence against protesters and reversing the recent administrative decisions that undermine the Sudanese Bar Association and other professional organizations. The United States condemns the actions of spoilers inside and outside the Sudan attempting to restrict political space and undermine the Sudan’s stability and democratic transition. Similarly, we condemn the recent violence in Darfur and Blue Nile states, to which the Special Representative of the Secretary- General just referred, which exacerbates the dire humanitarian situation and erodes the gains of the Juba Peace Agreement. That violence demonstrates the urgent need to implement the Agreement, including security sector reform, robust international monitoring and reporting mechanisms, the full deployment of the security keeping forces in Darfur and comprehensive, inclusive and transparent transitional justice processes.

We thank Special Representative Perthes for his update and welcome the representative of the Sudan to this meeting. Albania commends the work of the United Nations Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) in supporting the Sudan and its people and supports a stronger role for UNITAMS. We remain concerned about the political, security, human rights and humanitarian situation in the Sudan. The signing on 5 December of a political framework agreement by a broad representation of political forces and the military component in the Sudan is very much welcomed and commended. We hope that it can lead to a credible civilian-led Government. In that regard, we reiterate our full support to the work of the trilateral mechanism in further accelerating that process. We also urge all other stakeholders to build on that momentum, engage in constructive dialogue and bridge the gap between the opposing parties. That will be essential to completing the transitional tasks that will enable the Sudanese people to choose their future through elections. We welcome the role played by Sudanese civil society and its meaningful contribution to the intra-Sudanese discussions. We commend Sudanese women for their commitment to peace and human rights. We also welcome the visit of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Sudan in November and support his statement that human rights must be at the core of the transition. We remain concerned about the situation in Darfur. The reported renewed large-scale violence in Blue Nile state is alarming and must stop. The current situation in Darfur and across the country demonstrates the urgent need to implement the Juba Peace Agreement, considering that two years have passed its signing. In that regard, accountability for violence against civilians and for sexual and gender-based violence and human rights violations is essential to implementing the Agreement in a manner that improves the lives of the Sudanese people. Humanitarian needs also remain very high and are unfortunately projected to grow over the next year. We therefore call on the Sudanese authorities to provide unhindered humanitarian access to all affected and to ensure the safety of the humanitarian workers who are risking their lives to help those in need. Now is the right time to take advantage of the momentum and build on it by agreeing on the formation of a civilian-led Government that can restore democracy in the country. It will be vital for the Council to continue monitoring the political situation in the Sudan and to speak with one voice. In that context, we stand ready to support a press statement to welcome recent developments, as mentioned by the representative of the United Kingdom.

Let me begin by thanking Mr. Perthes for his informative briefing, and of course for his work on the ground. I welcome the delegation of the Sudan to this meeting. I would like to start by commending Sudan for the latest developments on the political front. We welcome the Sudanese Bar Association’s draft transitional Constitution and hope that the current discussions among civilian political forces in that regard will help to form the basis for a broader political settlement. We also hope that the signing on 5 December of a political framework agreement between the civilian and military components will open an avenue for closer and more fruitful cooperation. We appreciate the active participation of several civil-society representatives in the Bar Association’s drafting committee and hope it can lead to a truly inclusive and nationally owned dialogue. Despite recent positive developments, we remain concerned about the recurring intercommunal violence in both West Kordofan and the Blue Nile region, which has led to hundreds of deaths and the displacement of thousands of women, men and children. While we are aware of the limited resources available, we call on the Sudan’s authorities to increase their efforts to protect civilians in those areas, enhance accountability and guarantee conditions conducive to the safe return of displaced persons. The recurring violence highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict in the Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile regions. Mobilizing support from international partners is urgent if financial assistance to the Sudan is to be resumed in order to ensure the provision of basic services and generate new economic opportunities. Tackling socioeconomic constraints and reducing poverty are fundamental steps towards sustainable peace. Another key step in that direction would be the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement without further delay. We encourage the Sudanese authorities to work towards a bolder and speedier implementation of the Agreement. In conclusion, I want to emphasize my delegation’s support for the trilateral mechanism’s crucial work, as stated in previous meetings of the Council. We commend the critical facilitation efforts made by the United Nations Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to bring the political deadlock in the Sudan to an end.

At the outset, I would like to thank Special Representative Perthes for his updates, including on the efforts of the trilateral mechanism, in the light of the common understanding reached on the draft constitutional document, which led to the signing of a political framework agreement earlier this week. We look forward to a press statement from the Council in that regard. I also welcome Ambassador Mohamed to our meeting today. In the context of our discussion, I would like to focus on three important issues. First, the United Arab Emirates welcomed the signing of a political framework agreement, to regional and international acclaim. We hope that it opens a new chapter for the Sudanese people to continue on their path towards the security and prosperity they seek. The next phase therefore demands building on that momentum in order to ensure a sustainable political agreement, by redoubling efforts to bridge differences among the various actors and address outstanding issues, especially as time is of the essence. In that regard, we want to stress the importance of the continued inclusion of women in consultations to make sure that their needs and priorities are taken into account during the transitional period and beyond. We further stress the importance of opting for the language of dialogue and wisdom, which is in the best interests of our brother people of the Sudan. Secondly, we stress that the success of the transitional period in the Sudan requires a resumption of programmes by international financial institutions and international partners in order to continue their support for the Sudan’s economy and prevent it from collapsing at this critical stage, especially considering the current problems of hyperinflation, high unemployment and accumulated external debt. That support will be increasingly needed in the light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation, with communities still experiencing difficulties in accessing basic commodities and dealing with serious damage caused by the recent severe floods in some areas. Thirdly, my country has followed with concern the recent tribal clashes in West Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The Sudan has taken a number of measures to calm the situation, including through the work of its fact-finding committee. We stress that if the tensions are to be contained and renewed clashes prevented, the Sudan’s local efforts must be continued and built on. Similarly, with regard to the situation in Darfur, the local reconciliation agreements have demonstrated their effectiveness in continuing to support stability there. The valuable contributions of the Permanent Ceasefire Committee have also had a significant impact on progress in implementing the transitional security arrangements for Darfur in accordance with the Juba Peace Agreement. In that context, we stress the need for the international community to provide the necessary support to the Sudan to complete the implementation of all the Peace Agreement’s provisions. In conclusion, we sincerely wish the Sudan every success as it completes the transitional period and meets the aspirations of its people for stability and prosperity. In turn, we will continue to follow the work of the trilateral mechanism and engage with the Sudanese parties in that important process.

We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Volker Perthes for the briefing on the developing situation in the Sudan. We also take note of the briefing by our colleague from Ghana, Ambassador Carolyn Oppong-Ntiri, on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) over the past 90 days (see S/PV.9210). We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan, Al-Harith Idriss Mohamed, at this meeting. We note that, in Khartoum on 5 December, the military leadership of the Republic of the Sudan and a number of parties and civil society associations that make up part of the Central Council faction of the former ruling coalition — the Forces for Freedom and Change  — signed a political framework agreement governing the country’s transitional administration. The document provides for the formation of a civilian Government headed by a Prime Minister, a new convocation of Sudan’s highest collegial authority — the Supreme Sovereign Council — and a transitional legislative assembly, with the participation of various political elements on the basis of quotas; the start of the drafting of a new constitution; and the extension of the transition period by two years, to be followed by the holding of general elections. We view the achievement of those agreements as an important step towards creating a stabilizing effect on the internal political situation in the Sudan. We expect it to enable the resumption of international donor assistance to the country, which would help resolve the serious issues that have increased in the social and economic areas. We currently need to focus on the implementation of the signed agreement. To that end, we must continue to work diligently with all influential political forces and ethnic and religious groups in the Sudan, including those that did not sign the agreement. That will create the conditions necessary for moving forward the political process, which is aimed at achieving broad national agreement. We are convinced that the Sudanese people can independently resolve the problems facing them without external interference. We call on the tripartite mechanism, which consists of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, to continue its efforts to support all Sudanese political process and the drafting of a constitution to unite all key political forces of the country. We once again call on the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, led by Mr. Perthes, to act strictly in accordance with the mandate set out in relevant Security Council resolutions and to afford each of its components equal attention. At this stage, it is particularly important to intensify efforts aimed at boosting donor assistance, which the concluded framework agreement makes particularly urgent. We believe that it is hypocritical to attempt to link the resumption of international assistance to the transfer of power to a civilian Government in the country. We note the stabilization of the situation in Darfur in recent months. We believe that credit in that regard is due to the country’s military leadership for promptly addressing flare-ups and implementing important initiatives in the region, commensurate with its own capacities and resources, involving reconciliation and the normalization of people’s lives. We trust that the national and local authorities will continue to take the necessary measures promptly in order to prevent the escalation of intercommunal violence. Today’s quarterly briefing is the last one before the next review of the Sudanese sanctions regime in the Security Council, which will take place in February 2023. We remain convinced that the current situation in Darfur warrants a review of the sanctions restrictions imposed on the Sudan 17 years ago. The sanctions have not only lost their significance, but they no longer serve a political process, and they have also constrained the work of the Sudanese Government in the region and affected people’s lives. We hope that next year the Security Council will be able to address and resolve the issue through constructive dialogue. In conclusion, we hope that the friendly country of the Sudan will successfully overcome its current challenges and embark on the path of sustainable development. We reiterate our unwavering commitment to assist that process in every way.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his briefing and welcome the Permanent Representative of the Sudan at today’s meeting. China welcomes the signing of the political framework agreement by Sudanese parties last Monday, which marks a major step for the Sudan towards breaking the political impasse and returning to the political transition. That is an encouraging development. We appreciate the coordinating role of the trilateral mechanism, which consists of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and we call on the non-signatory political forces to join the agreement as soon as possible. It is our belief that all the Sudanese parties can take advantage of the current positive momentum, remain engaged in dialogue to reach a solution to outstanding issues and bring the political transition back on track. No country can achieve a political transition overnight. It must rely on the painstaking exploration and persistent efforts of its own people. The Sudan is no exception. The international community should uphold the Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned principle of supporting all Sudanese parties in steadily advancing the political transition through continued dialogue and consultations. Pressuring the Sudan by cancelling economic aid and debt relief is nothing short of collective punishment for the Sudanese people, instead of helping them to solve their problems. Such a practice would lead to serious economic and humanitarian consequences and therefore must be rejected. The recent intercommunal violence in Blue Nile and West Kordofan states is worrisome. The Sudanese Government deployed security forces to the affected areas in a timely manner, which helped the disputing communities to reach ceasefire agreements, and took a series of steps to stabilize the situation. Those efforts deserve acknowledgement. Intercommunal conflict is a perennial plague for the Sudan, with many violent clashes involving land disputes and livestock-rustling. The Government needs to enhance security, promote development and take other steps to address the claims of the various communities in relation to resource allocation, defuse intercommunal tensions and strive to eliminate the root causes of conflict. According to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/898), the recent situation in Darfur has been relatively stable, with a drop in large scale-violence, which would not be possible without the sustained efforts of the Sudanese Government. The Security Council sanctions on the Sudan are no longer relevant to the developments on the ground. The sanctions hinder the Sudanese Government’s ability to carry out security operations and effectively protect civilians in Darfur, and therefore should be modified in a timely manner until they are definitively lifted. The Council’s inability to develop benchmarks for modifying the sanctions on the Sudan over the past two years is regrettable. Council sanctions must not be used as a political tool to exert pressure on the Sudan. When we discuss the renewal of sanctions in February 2023, China urges the penholder to make substantive improvements to the text so that the Council can set clear and realistic benchmarks for modifying sanctions without further delay. Given the impacts of torrential rain, floods and the global food and energy crisis, the Sudan’s economic and humanitarian situation remains extremely fragile, with one third of its population in need of humanitarian relief. The 2022 humanitarian response plan for the Sudan is funded only to 41 per cent of its requirements, which falls far short of meeting the Sudan’s humanitarian needs. China calls on the international community to increase its assistance to the Sudan and welcomes the convening of a meeting of the Friends of Sudan under the auspices of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan. We look to the Mission to strengthen its work in helping the Sudan’s economic development and peacebuilding. As a good friend and partner of the Sudan, China is committed to assisting the country’s development and benefiting its people. China recently signed a new bilateral economic and technical cooperation agreement with the Sudan. The Omdurman China-Sudan Friendship High School renovation project has been completed with Chinese assistance. In collaboration with UNICEF, China has also implemented a maternal and child health-care project in the Sudan benefiting more than 70,000 people in West Darfur. We will increase our strategic and operational alignment with the Sudan and continue to assist it to the best of our ability with a view to enabling peace and development there as soon as possible.

I thank Special Representative Perthes for his briefing. I would like to commend the signing of the civilian- military framework agreement on 5 December. We hope that this first step will lead as soon as possible to the formation of a civilian transitional Government that will help lay the foundation for the holding of elections. In that regard, we acknowledge and support the efforts of the trilateral mechanism and other partners to restore the process of a transition to democracy in the Sudan. The framework agreement has the support of a large number of Sudanese political actors and groups. We call for any outstanding issues to be resolved through peaceful and inclusive dialogue and for the political forces that have not yet signed the agreement to join it. In order to revitalize the political process and help stabilize the Sudan, we believe that we should prioritize security-sector reform, the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement and transitional justice. We urge the key actors to work in coordination with the trilateral mechanism to that end. As we have said before, women were one of the driving forces behind the revolution in the Sudan, and it is therefore critical that they have a voice in the decision-making at all levels and all stages of the political process. The proposed quota of at least 40 per cent of seats in the Government and the legislature for women will undoubtedly contribute to greater inclusion, and we call for the necessary measures to be taken to ensure that this goal can be achieved. We are concerned about the outbreaks of violence in Blue Nile and West Kordofan states in recent months. The hostilities have spread to new areas and have increased in intensity. We reiterate our deep concern about the serious violations of children’s rights, as well as the incidents of sexual and gender-based violence that continue to be reported. We urge the authorities to address the root causes of violence, redouble their prevention efforts, promote reconciliation at the community level and protect the civilian population, and we therefore call for expediting the implementation of the national plan for the protection of civilians. Furthermore, as the High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed during his recent visit to the Sudan, the protection of human rights and accountability are essential aspects that we must continue to work on. For example, in the case of Darfur, relative stability will not be sustainable unless progress is made in establishing commissions and mechanisms to address issues of transitional justice, the return of internally displaced persons and the restoration of property rights, among other issues. We welcome the fact that despite some administrative hurdles, the Permanent Ceasefire Committee is finally operational. We hope that it will continue its work together with the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, in line with its mandate. One of the pending issues is that of addressing the serious economic and humanitarian crisis facing the country. It is projected that one third of the population will need humanitarian assistance by 2023. We call on the Government to ensure unrestricted and secure access for humanitarian workers and organizations. During Mexico’s term as an elected member of the Security Council, the situation in the Sudan has been marked by the suspension of constitutional order and its serious implications for the stability of the country and the entire region. We therefore believe it is essential that the Security Council speak with one voice in support of the political process. In conclusion, we hope that the recently signed agreement will lay the foundation for an inclusive and democratic process that can lead to the peace for which the Sudanese people have fought so hard.

I thank Special Representative Volker Perthes for his briefing. I also welcome the participation of the Sudan in this meeting today. I would like to stress three points. We welcome the signing on 5 December of a framework agreement between the military and a large part of the civilian opposition, which demonstrates a spirit of compromise in the work of overcoming the political crisis. It must now be implemented in order to make rapid progress on the outstanding issues, particularly security reform, transitional justice, the management of the Juba Peace Agreement and the designation of a timeline for the elections, which make up the second part of the negotiations. The signing should also be followed by the appointment of a civilian Government as soon as possible. We note the provisions on the transfer of power to civilians and the participation of women in public life. The authorities must ensure conditions conducive to the political process by guaranteeing the right to peaceful protest and ending impunity for perpetrators of violence against protesters. We encourage all Sudanese political forces to support this process. The Sudan needs to resolve its political crisis and return to a path of transition in order to respond to its economic and humanitarian emergency. The European Union (EU) is supporting the Sudanese population, in particular in the areas of education and human rights, with €48 million in assistance. A package of €140 million aimed at supporting health care and agriculture and combating food insecurity should be adopted very soon. Lastly, the EU is also providing €78 million in humanitarian assistance. Establishing a functioning Government is also essential to stop the spiral of intercommunal violence, specifically through the deployment of the joint force and the reintegration of combatants. In that regard, we encourage all armed groups that have not signed the Juba Peace Agreement to join the peace process without delay. Re-establishing a credible democratic transition is what the Sudanese people aspire to and aligns with the commitment made by the military to leaving the political scene once the conditions for the establishment of a civilian Government are met, and is ultimately essential to restoring the confidence of the international community. In that regard, I want to emphasize that France will continue to support the efforts of the Sudanese people in this difficult period, both within the EU and through international institutions and the African Union, if the return to a democratic transition, with a well-defined timeline for elections, is effectively assured. We commend the assistance from the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which we have consistently supported. The cooperation between the authorities and the tripartite mechanism must continue during the upcoming period with a view to implementing in good faith the letter and the spirit of the framework agreement that has just been signed. I call for the swift adoption of the press statement that is being circulated on this subject.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of India. I join others in 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 the Sudan. The political transition process that began four years ago continues to face obstacles on the ground. However, recent developments, including on the draft Constitution, are encouraging. We also welcome the signing of a political framework agreement in the Sudan. The efforts of the Sudanese authorities to create a conducive environment by way of an annulment of the nationwide emergency and the release of political detainees have helped to ease tensions. The Sudanese stakeholders need to consolidate the gains made so far and move towards an inclusive political agreement. We reiterate that a Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned inclusive and credible political dialogue remains critical to the efforts to find a lasting solution. We hope the stakeholders will continue to address the issue of security-sector reform and accountability, as well the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement. We encourage the trilateral mechanism, consisting of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, to work closely with the stakeholders to facilitate the political agreement. We take note of the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, particularly regarding the transitional security arrangements in Darfur. The Permanent Ceasefire Committee has continued its work on ceasefire violations. The reduction in violence in the Darfur region is an encouraging sign. In the coming months, we hope that efforts will be made to expedite the deployment of the joint security-keeping force. The intercommunal violence in West Kordofan and Blue Nile, owing to complex factors, particularly over land disputes, can be tackled effectively only by prioritizing reconciliation and addressing the political- and security-related issues. 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 impacted the inflows of overseas development assistance. The funding shortfalls are also impacting the activities of humanitarian actors and their ability to meet growing needs. The support of the international community to humanitarian appeals needs to be scaled up. In conclusion, I would like to say that India enjoys long-standing friendly relations with the Sudan and its people. Over the years, India has assisted the Sudan through several projects through concessional lines of credit, capacity-building and humanitarian assistance. The constructive support of the international community is critical as the Sudan and its people move towards a stable, secure and prosperous future. I now resume my functions as the President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

At the outset, 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 and for his new approach of optimism, rather than one of pessimism, as was the case in the past. I wish him every success in all of his efforts, including in the tripartite mechanism in his capacity as Head of UNITAMS. There is great optimism that a political agreement will be reached among the Sudanese parties in order to put the country back on the democratic path and ensure the gains that the Sudanese people aspire to, namely, freedom, peace and justice, which are the values and the slogans the young people of the Sudan have been working for. That optimism has prevailed since the signing of the political framework agreement last Monday. Without going into too much detail, I would also like to commend and thank all the delegations here for their statements in support of the transition process and calling for urgent international support for maintaining what has been achieved so far. I would like to focus on the following points regarding the Secretary-General’s report (S/2022/898). In the context of important developments, the report indicates that there are significant data and evidence pointing to progress in ending the Sudanese political crisis by forming a new, third, civilian Government that enjoys consensus supported by a broad political base. The Sudan has been undergoing an exceptionally complex phase since the December 2018 revolution, and the Secretary-General’s remark is appropriate, as intentions now exist and efforts are being made to reach consensus between civilian and military forces to broaden the path towards democratic transition. That is supported by what was confirmed by the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, in his statement before the General Assembly (see A/77/ PV.8), by the commitment of the military component not to participate in politics, to transform the army into an institution subject to the Constitution and the values of elected democratic institutions and to prevent its politicization, or being ideological, and its commitment to purely military professionalism to ensure the Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity. The forces of the revolution, the transitional forces and the military component have already signed  — on Monday, 5 December  — the political framework agreement, sponsored by the tripartite mechanism consisting of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. The agreement will remain open for all political components to sign it in order to open the way for the formation of a civilian caretaker Government to restore the path of the new transition and the drafting of the transitional constitution. In order to strengthen that agreement, we call on the Secretary-General to use his international experience in his capacity as head of multilateral diplomacy and based on his political background and previous experience with the Sudan. We call on him to personally lead efforts to support Sudanese political reconciliation and secure the path of democratic transition amid the challenges he knows well, by helping the Sudan, thereby continuing the qualitative support of the United Nations for the requirements of political transition in order to be distinct from other processes related to political support and building peace. We need his help to lift the United Nations sanctions imposed on the Sudan, urge international financial institutions to fulfil their pledges to support the Juba Peace Agreement, make special efforts to persuade the rest of the armed movements that did not join the peace process to do so, and support Sudanese democracy along the bumpy path until it reaches its end and achieves its desired goal of holding free and fair elections at the end of the transition period. We need him to undertake personal good offices endeavours to build trust among all Sudanese military, civilian, revolutionary and women and youth components. With regard to the situation in Darfur, which Mr. Perthes referred to in his briefing and was mentioned by representatives in their statements, the report confirms that it is relatively stable due to the local and tribal reconciliation efforts that took place during the month of June in West and South Darfur under the supervision of the Vice-President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Lieutenant General Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo. As for the clashes that took place in the Blue Nile and West Kordofan regions, which were mentioned by delegations and referred to in the report, I would like to clarify the following. During the clashes between Hausa tribes and some ethnic components in the region in October, local Government forces in Blue Nile resorted to crisis management by separating the conflicting parties, controlling the situation and establishing security, along with the intervention of civilian leaders, including the Sultan, who sought to calm the angry groups. The Defence and Security Council also issued a number of decisions to control the chaos and protect and provide relief to those affected, as societal effects are dealt with through reconciliation, reparations and moving the wheel of criminal justice against violators. Reinforcements were sent from joint forces, including the army and rapid support forces, to enhance security in Blue Nile, and in-kind support convoys were sent to the areas affected by the events in the region. Regarding the renewed conflict in the Lagawa locality, in the state of South Kordofan, in October, we can attribute that to the armed opposition movements investing in tribal conflicts, which contributed to widening its negative repercussions. The conflict was contained with the intervention of the civilian administrations and the deployment of joint Government forces from the centre to secure the city and restore activity in the markets in preparation for the return of the displaced. That conflict is mainly due to the ethnic polarization created by a popular movement wing of Abdelaziz El-Hilu, as the armed forces accused the popular movement of violating the ceasefire signed in 2019. The Government has facilitated the work of humanitarian organizations to reach affected areas. We have already explained the background of those events that were not mentioned in the current report. With regard to the points mentioned about the security situation, we can refer to the following reasons: disputes over land ownership and conflicts rooted in climate change. That is based on specialized reports of the United Nations. The Sudan has been significantly exposed to climate change, causing disturbances in local communities, displacement from villages, change in rainfall rates, unusual storms, a negative impact on water resources, energy and agriculture, soil erosion and the effect of drought through increased transpiration, a decline in soil moisture and a decrease in soil fertility. All that has led to the exacerbation of conflict between farmers and pastoralists due to environmental degradation, which in turn affects the security situation of local communities and its repercussions on efforts to reduce poverty and the reversal of economic growth. Those factors also led to an increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Human rights and the local communities caught up in that nexus are impacted by the spiral of climate change, the lack of resources and the effect on community security systems. The High Commissioner for Human Rights has insisted on the importance of building trust among Sudanese stakeholders. The human rights situation will improve with the resolution of the political crisis, the enactment of legal reforms and the implementation of the peace agreements, in addition to ensuring the protection of civilians and facilitating the return of IDPs. In the report, the Secretary-General thanks the Sudanese authorities for facilitating the High Commissioner’s visit to the Sudan, which is a member of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Turning to violations against children, we would like to shed light on the practical measures adopted by the transitional Governments since December in that regard. In 2019, the law on the armed forces was amended after the December revolution. Those forces are committed to respecting the plan of action signed with the United Nations in March 2016. The transitional Government is working to implement the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians and is committed to implementing the national plan for child protection in conflict zones and raising awareness to protect them from violations in armed conflict. That is being done thanks to the collaboration between the Government and the United Nations with regard to the security forces and the signatory movements to the Juba Peace Agreement. Human rights protection units have been set up within all units of the armed forces, and orders are published periodically, in cooperation with the National Council for Child Welfare. The Sudan is also participating in all child-related functions organized by the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. In order to increase capabilities and awareness, peacekeeping forces in El Fasher in Darfur organized a training workshop in September on the peace agreement, the military law, the criminal law and women and children’s rights. Another workshop was held in October on peacebuilding, the role of local communities in peace and the relationship between the military and civilians, in addition to addressing hate speech and the role of the peacekeeping force in Darfur in promoting social peace. In November, another workshop was held on rehabilitating and integrating movements that are signatory to the security arrangements under the auspices of the National Commission for Peace. One hundred and forty additional vehicles were provided to enable the security force to carry out its task in establishing security and protecting civilians. Implementing the protocol on security arrangements is a prerequisite for sustained peace and creating the environment conducive to the return of IDPs and refugees, in addition to implementing the remaining protocols of Juba Peace Agreement and strengthening peace in Darfur. A complete budget was prepared for the Darfur Permanent Ceasefire Committee, as was also mentioned by certain delegations in their comments, sectoral committees and field teams, and it contains the necessary requirements. Regarding the humanitarian situation, it is critical given the information issued by the United Nations on the significant food shortage. Millions of people are affected by it and by climate change, thereby affecting living and security conditions. The Secretary- General’s report also indicates the number of refugees in neighbouring countries. The conflict in Lagawa led to the displacement of some in the region, but the voluntary return of some of the population has begun. Currently, the area is calm, schools have reopened and contacts have been made with volunteer organizations to provide humanitarian aid. In the Blue Nile, as a result of tribal violence, thousands of displaced people are facing tragic conditions, such as a food gap and a lack of medicine in the governorates of Ad-Damazin and Er-Roseires, where they live in camps north of Damazin amid deteriorating health conditions and are being housed in schools. There are a number of camps for the displaced, including the Hausa tribe, Al-Dabiba and Shamar camps, and Al-Ban Jadid camp in Wad Al-Mahi and Roseires governorate, where the Funj tribe resides. The large wave of displacement led to the interruption of education and a failure to harvest crops during this year’s agricultural season, which leads to a widening of the food gap in the state. In that context, we ask the United Nations Development Programme to intervene to assist the displaced and refugees in Blue Nile, South Kordofan, White Nile and eastern Sudan, areas that host 60 percent of the refugees in Sudan. The high number of refugees in the east of the Sudan has had a negative impact on the prosperity of the local people who host them. We must therefore strengthen basic sanitary and emergency services. One third of children in the Sudan suffer from acute malnutrition. We must therefore restore hospitals and health-care centres. We welcome the support that the Sudan received from the United Nations in October, but there is a nearly 40 per cent shortfall in humanitarian assistance. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, allocated $46 million to the Sudan this year through the Central Emergency Response Fund, $6 million of which is intended to address the impact of floods. An additional $43.5 million will be earmarked through the humanitarian fund for the Sudan in order to meet urgent humanitarian needs. Returning to the last part of the report, on the four objectives of the Mission, as well as conclusions and observations of the Secretary-General, we would say the following. We welcome the positive observations, particularly in paragraph 66, namely, on the positive political momentum. The Secretary-General calls for benefiting from the opportunity that has emerged as a result of the political dialogue through the Sudanese Bar Association and to transform the draft constitution into an inclusive basis for reaching a political agreement and enhancing civilian-military reconciliation. He also urges the civil component to reach an agreement with the military component under the auspices of the tripartite mechanism. That agreement should ensure the participation of women, young people and the resistance committees in that process. We also welcome his appeal to the international community to leverage the trilateral mechanism to facilitate a political agreement and achieve stability in the Sudan. In paragraph 67, on national ownership of the inclusive political process, that is the most useful way to reach an agreement among the parties on their respective roles and functions during the transitional period, with the aim to tackling the complex issues at the core of the current crisis. He also calls on the international community to urgently mobilize political and financial support for the transitional Government in order to address the grave challenges faced by the Sudan. The Secretary-General also commends the reduction in tribal violence as a result of the efforts and measures taken by the Government, as well as the increased protection for IDPs in the Zamzam camp, who have been able to reach their farms  — which is something encouraging. In conclusion, I would like to call on the international community to provide financial support for the implementation of all provisions of the Juba Peace Agreement, knowing that all the security arrangements and the related process of demobilization and reintegration of forces of armed movements is a very costly process, and a complicated one in terms of its organizational, logistical and financial aspects. We thank friendly countries that continue to support such efforts. In that connection, we reiterate the important role of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, and we hope to see more improvements. Turning to the economic situation, the transitional Government adopted economic and financial measures on freeing the exchange rates and on support for basic foodstuffs, while also addressing the Sudan’s external debt. Those measures were necessary to review the Sudan’s economic structure. We continue to work towards increasing production in the Sudan and improving the balance of trade and creating conditions conducive to attracting investment, which will inevitably benefit from the promising potential of Sudan. In order for those economic reforms to achieve their desired goals, we look forward to the resumption of cooperation programmes and development assistance from bilateral partners keen on the success of the transition in Sudan, as well as from international financial institutions, in order to mitigate the effects of reforms and reduce the burden of the external debt, which the Sudan has qualified for by taking the necessary steps in accordance with Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and completing the tackling of inherited economic distortions. The international community has to shoulder its responsibilities and provide humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of refugees hosted by the Sudan from neighbouring countries. We also urge the Secretariat and the Council to conduct a comprehensive strategic review of the work of the Mission given the many developments that have taken place in the Sudan over the past two years and the obstacles that hindered meeting the desired hopes and aspirations desired when the Sudan initially requested its establishment, and we commend its successes achieved. Finally, I would like to stress that our partners during the transitional period will continue to work with us in order to ensure its success. We are committed to dialogue, which is the inevitable way of addressing the political challenges in the Sudan. We also reiterate our commitment to work with the United Nations and the international community to address the challenges that might hinder the transition process and hamper the achievement of our main objectives.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussions on the subject.