S/PV.9310 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Sudan and 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 and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan; Ms. Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations and Mr. Ismael Wais, Intergovernmental Authority on Development Special Envoy. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I warmly welcome the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, and give him the floor.

Allow me to say a few words before my colleagues provide their briefings. For 10 days, the Sudan has been ravaged by a deadly conflict, despite calls for a ceasefire from inside and outside the country. At least 450 people have been killed, including four members of our United Nations family. More than 4,000 have been injured and tens of thousands have fled their homes. Reports from Khartoum paint a devastating picture. People are trapped indoors, terrified, with dwindling supplies of food, water, medicine and fuel. Health services are near collapse, and according to the World Health Organization, several hospitals are being used by armed groups. Across the country, there are reports of armed clashes. People have fled their homes in Blue Nile and North Kordofan states and across Darfur. Refugees and returnees have arrived in Chad, Egypt and South Sudan, and I thank the Governments of those countries for their support. These 10 days of violence and chaos have been heartbreaking. A prolonged, full-scale war is unbearable to contemplate. The Sudan borders seven other countries, all of which have either been involved in conflict or seen serious civil unrest over the past decade. It is a gateway to the Sahel, where insecurity and political instability are making an already catastrophic humanitarian situation even worse. Across the wider region, poverty and hunger are rampant. The climate emergency, the global cost-of-living crisis and soaring levels of debt are taking a terrible toll. And in some places humanitarian aid is all that is keeping famine at bay. The power struggle in the Sudan is not only putting that country’s future at risk. It is lighting a fuse that could detonate across borders, causing immense suffering for years and setting development back by decades. The fighting must stop immediately. We need an all-out effort for peace. I call on the parties to the conflict, Generals Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti”, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, to silence the guns. It is incumbent on the Sudanese leaders to put the interests of their people front and centre. The conflict will not, and must not, be resolved on a battlefield over the bodies of the people of the Sudan. The Sudanese people have made their wishes very clear. They want peace and the restoration of civilian rule through the transition to democracy. The parties to the conflict must respect the 72-hour ceasefire brokered by the United States and come together to establish a permanent cessation of hostilities. I urge all Council members and other Member States and regional organizations with influence to press them to de-escalate tensions and return to the negotiating table immediately. I commend our Sudanese and international partners, including several present today, who are working to support peace in the Sudan. The United Nations has reconfigured its presence to protect its personnel and their families while staying and delivering support to the Sudanese people. The United Nations leadership in the Sudan, headed by my Special Representative Volker Perthes, remains in the country. We are establishing a hub in Port Sudan to enable us to continue to work with our partners in support of peace and to alleviate humanitarian suffering. One third of the Sudan’s people needed humanitarian aid even before the recent crisis; that number can only have risen sharply after the destruction of the past 10 days. The United Nations stands with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and its regional and international partners. Above all, we stand with the Sudanese people and their hopes and demands for peace, the restoration of civilian rule and the democratic transition.

I thank the Secretary-General for his introductory remarks. I give the floor to Mr. Perthes. Mr. Perthes: I thank the Secretary-General. I am grateful for his words and his support to us on the ground here. Before I begin with my factual briefing, let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the Sudanese women, men and children, including United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers, who have lost their lives or have been injured in the fighting in the Sudan. Since I last briefed the Council on 17 April, my efforts, along with those of Member States and regional organizations, have all focused on securing humanitarian pauses or ceasefires between the Sudanese Armed Force and the Rapid Support Forces. Those efforts have been met with limited success to date, and the situation on the ground has escalated dramatically. In a positive step, as the Secretary-General has just mentioned, a 72-hour ceasefire was brokered by the United States on 24 April, yesterday. It seems to be holding in some parts so far. However, we also hear continuing reports of fighting and the movement of troops. The Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces have both accused one another of violating the ceasefire. In Khartoum, the fighting around the Republican Palace, Khartoum International Airport, the army headquarters, Rapid Support Forces bases and other strategic locations has largely continued or in some cases intensified. Air strikes and heavy shelling have also continued, particularly in Bahry and Omdurman, the two partner cities around Khartoum that form Khartoum together with Khartoum. The Khartoum airport is reportedly now operational, but its aprons are damaged. Residential areas near the army’s headquarters and the airport have come under persistent attacks. Homes, shops, schools, water and electricity installations, mosques, hospitals and other health facilities have been damaged or are now fully destroyed. Reports of home invasions and the looting of homes and shops and cars at checkpoints have been rampant. Those have included the homes and the cars of Sudanese citizens, United Nations staff, humanitarian workers and the diplomatic community. We have also received disturbing reports of attempted sexual assaults. With supply lines running out and destroyed, fear of increased criminality is mounting. Reports of prisoners being released from detention centres across Khartoum have compounded those fears. In the Northern state, the control of Merowe airport remains disputed. The group of Egyptian forces captured by the Rapid Support Forces, which I briefed the Council on last Monday, were safely handed over to Egypt. The situation in Darfur regions remains volatile. In North Darfur, thanks to a local ceasefire brokered by state authorities and the native administration, with the support of the Permanent Ceasefire Committee chaired by the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, the violence decreased during the Eid Al-Fitr period. The ceasefire has been renewed, and it is still holds. In West Darfur, however, in El Geneina particularly near the Chadian border, fighting has resumed with increased and worrisome reports of tribes arming themselves and joining the fight. Nyala in South Darfur continues to experience fighting, although local initiatives aimed at dialogue have led to relative calm in some localities. In North Kordofan, there has been sporadic fighting in El Obeid. In Blue Nile, intercommunal clashes erupted between Hausa and Funj communities in the absence of security forces. Other regions of the Sudan, while spared from armed confrontation, are feeling the impact of the fighting. Several are now hosting thousands of internally displaced people, yet supply routes are disrupted resulting in fuel shortages. Throughout the Sudan, significant increases in the prices of basic commodities are reported. There are also increasing reports of armed robbers at checkpoints on some roads, looting civilians who are fleeing the violence. The fighting in the Sudan has created a humanitarian catastrophe with civilians bearing its brunt. As of this morning, at least 427 people have been killed and up to 4,000 injured. Those figures are conservative estimates, and they are climbing as fighting continues. The humanitarian situation will be covered by Assistant Secretary-General Msuya Mpanju in her briefing, so I will not go into further details. Civil society and grassroots networks have mobilized to fill the response vacuum. Several neighbourhood resistance committees are providing basic health care, or they are supporting the coordination of civilian evacuations from the areas that have been hardest hit. In the midst of violence, the ordinary Sudanese women and men continue to show the power of solidarity and compassion. Both of the warring parties have fought with disregard for the laws and norms of war, attacking densely populated areas with little consideration for civilians, hospitals or even vehicles transferring the wounded and the sick. I urge both sides to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Civilians must be given safe passage to leave areas of active hostilities, and they must be allowed to access supplies. The safety and security of United Nations personnel, premises and assets and of humanitarian and medical workers must be ensured. I have continued my regular contact with Lieutenant General Al-Burhan and Hemedti to urge them to stop the fighting and allow humanitarian pauses. The trilateral mechanism and the quad were able to negotiate humanitarian pauses twice. Each of those pauses held for only a few hours. On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, with the support of the Secretary-General, we were able to persuade Lieutenant General Al-Burhan and Hemedti to commit to a three-day pause, from 21 April. That pause allowed some brief respite for Sudanese in parts of the capital and the country. It also enabled the United Nations and its humanitarian partners to relocate its staff out of the immediate lines of fire. However, the pause was not fully upheld, with attacks on headquarters, attempts to gain ground, air strikes and explosions in different areas of the capital. In contrast, locally brokered ceasefires in parts of Darfur and other regions are holding, although they are tenuous. There are reports of mobilization by some tribes and some armed movements in Darfur who are taking sides. This is dangerous and could draw in the Sudan’s neighbouring countries. I renew my call on all communities to maintain their neutrality and refrain from taking sides. Both leaders have not been able to fully commit to a complete ceasefire or to implement one. The two generals continue trading accusations and issuing competing claims of control over key installations. There is no unequivocal sign that either is ready to seriously negotiate, which suggests that both think that securing a military victory over the other is possible. That is a miscalculation. As fighting continues, law and order will break down further throughout the country and command and control will dissipate. The Sudan could become increasingly fragmented, which would have a devastating impact on the region. Even if one side wins, the Sudan will lose. Unfortunately, as we have not been able to secure a sustained pause or ceasefire since the start of fighting, the United Nations took the decision to evacuate and relocate United Nations staff out of Khartoum, Darfur and elsewhere. I am speaking to the Council today from Port Sudan, where many of my colleagues and our non-governmental organization (NGO) partners arrived yesterday on or with a United Nations convoy of nearly 1,200 people, including 744 United Nations staff and their dependents, international NGO staff and their dependents and diplomatic staff from several embassies — all relocated to Port Sudan from Khartoum. This afternoon, I said farewell to 450 of them as they boarded a French frigate that would take them to Jeddah through the night. The rest will be evacuated on commercial vessels in the next two days. A few international staff and their dependents are still in Khartoum and were not evacuated due to various reasons. We are also continuing to ensure that our national staff can relocate as needed to safe areas. Staff in West and Central Darfur have either evacuated or relocated. Other relocations and evacuations are planned or ongoing. The evacuation of personnel from El Fasher in North Darfur has not yet commenced, but options are being considered, with potential Member State support. I am immensely grateful to the Members States who helped facilitate those movements, and we rely on continued cooperation for our remaining relocations and evacuations. Let me be clear: our relocation and evacuation do not mean that the United Nations is abandoning the Sudan. We will continue to maintain our presence in the Sudan, although reduced, and focus on the immediate priorities, in coordination with our international partners. Those priorities are a sustained ceasefire with a monitoring mechanism, a return to political negotiations and the alleviation of human suffering. On a ceasefire, an initiative was launched by the United States, in close partnership with the quad and with us, in the trilateral mechanism. The United Nations and our partners are redoubling efforts to ensure that the 72-hour temporary ceasefire holds and evolves into a lasting cessation of hostilities and return to political negotiations. Both military leaders must adhere to the ceasefire and work towards its consolidation into a permanent cessation of hostilities, facilitated by a mechanism. The United Nations is ready to support that. I also call on the Member States with influence on the warring parties to back those efforts. Sudanese national figures including former Prime Minister Hamdok, business leaders, political parties and civil society are mobilizing against the war and urging support for a ceasefire and humanitarian support. I am coordinating closely with them too. The courage and resilience of our Sudanese friends, national staff and partners continue to motivate us. The entire United Nations family will work tirelessly towards ending the violence in the Sudan and restoring hope for a better future. The Organization’s commitment to the Sudan and its people remains unwavering.

I thank Mr. Perthes for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Msuya. Ms. Msuya: I thank you, Madam President, for this opportunity to brief the Council on the desperate humanitarian situation in the Sudan. Let me start by expressing my deepest gratitude to all my humanitarian colleagues and to the Sudanese people themselves. I thank them for their heroic efforts and for putting their lives at risk to help others. We are doing our absolute best to support them in these trying times. What has been unfolding there since 15 April is a nightmare for ordinary citizens and aid workers alike. The fighting must stop. Even prior to 15 April, humanitarian needs in the Sudan were at a record high, with one third of the population — a staggering 15.8 million people — were in need of humanitarian aid. In addition, 4 million children and pregnant and lactating women were malnourished and 3.7 million people were internally displaced. This conflict will not only deepen those needs, but also threatens to unleash a new wave of humanitarian challenges. Fighting is massively impeding and imperilling aid operations. A humanitarian crisis is quickly turning into a catastrophe. More than 400 people have been killed and more than 3,700 have been injured. At least 20 hospitals have been forced to close due to damage, military use or lack of resources. Power cuts and fuel shortages risk damaging vaccine stocks and water supplies, a precursor for the spread of disease. There have been numerous reports of sexual and gender-based violence. We call on all parties to protect all women and girls from such crimes. The toll on mental health and psychological well-being, especially among children, is unimaginable. The humanitarian community has not been spared. We have lost five of our own. Aid workers have been attacked in their homes, beaten and held at gunpoint. Warehouses, offices and vehicles have been attacked, looted or seized. The situation is extremely dangerous and alarming. Our commitment to the people of the Sudan remains resolute. While we have been forced to reduce our footprint in areas where fighting is at its most intense, let there be no mistake: we are not leaving the Sudan. A humanitarian leadership team will remain in the country, based in Port Sudan, to lead operations. Where possible, humanitarian operations will continue, thanks to the dedication of aid workers, including our local partners. Together, we will continue to deliver whenever and wherever feasible, particularly in the areas of health and nutrition. We are exploring ways to replenish our stockpiles, so that we can deliver aid to our partners in Port Sudan and elsewhere as soon as it is safe to do so. We are activating a hub in Nairobi to support the rapid response, and we are preparing for refugee influxes into countries across the region. We have received reports of tens of thousands of people arriving in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan. I thank those countries receiving people fleeing the fierce fighting. It is critical to keep borders open. We are also working to redistribute recent allocations from the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Sudan humanitarian fund, and we will continue to work with local partners, including civil society networks, to reach those most in need. International humanitarian law is unequivocal. All parties to the conflict must respect civilians and civilian infrastructure, taking constant care to spare them. This includes allowing safe passage for civilians to leave areas of hostilities on a voluntary basis. The parties must respect humanitarian workers and assets and facilitate relief operations, and they must respect medical personnel, transport and facilities. What the people of the Sudan need, and what we need to reach them, is an immediate ceasefire and a lasting solution to the crisis. We are counting on Council members’ relentless efforts to this end.

I thank Ms. Mohammed for her briefing. Unfortunately, the video link with Mr. Ismael Wais of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development was interrupted. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements. Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom): I would like to start by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary-General Volker Perthes, Assistant Secretary-General Joyce Msuya, Ms. Fatima Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, and, in his absence, Special Envoy Ismael Wais — when we hear from him. I would like to begin by paying tribute to the tireless work of the Special Representative, as well as the work of the team of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan and the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organization implementing partners on the ground. We are very relieved that the operation to evacuate and relocate international and United Nations workers was successful, and we thank the Special Representative and his teams for their commitment and dedication to the Sudan. We extend our condolences for those colleagues who have lost their lives. For the United Kingdom’s part, we carried out an operation to evacuate British embassy personnel on 23 April, and today we have begun flying out British nationals. We would like to thank our international partners for their cooperation in those efforts. Our priority continues to be the safety of all British nationals in the Sudan and providing support to those in need. The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the military clashes that continue to take place across the Sudan. We echo the Secretary-General’s calls for peace and especially for an end to attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers. Hundreds have died, and thousands are injured, adding to the acute humanitarian needs across the country. We welcome the 72-hour ceasefire brokered yesterday by the United States, but we are concerned that, once again, the parties have failed to uphold their commitments. We call on both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to immediately establish a lasting ceasefire across the country — and we are in direct contact with the leadership of both — in order to end the violence and de-escalate tensions. We call on both sides to allow humanitarian access, comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian and medical workers. We welcome and encourage continued regional and diplomatic initiatives, including those set out today. We will continue to work with all Security Council members and the Secretary-General to ensure that the Council supports efforts towards an end to the fighting, a permanent ceasefire and a political resolution. In conclusion, we stand in solidarity with the Sudanese people in their demands for a peaceful and democratic future.

Let me thank Secretary-General Guterres, Special Representative Perthes, Assistant Secretary- General Msuya and Special Envoy Wais of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for their informative briefings. I want to thank Special Representative Perthes in particular for his efforts over the weekend to try to end the carnage and stop the fighting. I also want to welcome the participation in today’s meeting of the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations. It goes without saying that we are disappointed that the Security Council did not meet again sooner on this crisis, as the situation in the Sudan demands our urgent attention. The people of the Sudan demanded our attention, and humanitarians needed to hear from us. This meeting should also demand the attention of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, because our message today is clear: the fighting must stop immediately, and as the Secretary-General just urged, the killing has to stop. In no uncertain terms, the United States condemns the continuing violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. We call on them to adhere to their latest commitment to implement and uphold a 72- hour ceasefire, which started at midnight on 24 April. We further call on the parties to the conflict to engage with regional and international partners and Sudanese civilian stakeholders. Together, they should form a committee to oversee the negotiation, conclusion and implementation in the Sudan of a permanent cessation of hostilities, as well as humanitarian arrangements. The United States strongly supports the continued diplomatic efforts of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States and the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan to resolve this crisis. We also welcome the communiqué of the ministerial special session on the Sudan, held on 20 April, involving the United Nations, IGAD, the League of Arab States, the permanent five members of the Security Council and neighbouring and regional partners. Those are not separate messages  — rather, that is the international community speaking with one strong voice, and it is time the Sudanese military leaders heard our collective call. In just more than one week — and we have heard this repeated before  — the violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has killed more than 420 civilians, wounded thousands, endangered the lives of the Sudanese people, diplomats and humanitarian workers, and forced thousands of people from their homes. We are also gravely concerned about the growing reports of sexual and other physical assaults on civilians. The rival security forces must abide by international law. They must immediately commit to the safety, security and protection of civilians, diplomatic missions and personnel, United Nations staff and facilities, and humanitarian and medical personnel, including by ensuring the safe and secure departure of foreign nationals. We are also extremely concerned about the millions of Sudanese in need of critical humanitarian assistance. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the humanitarian needs in the Sudan were already at record levels before the recent outbreak of violence. Attacks on humanitarian aid staff, offices, vehicles, equipment and food stocks have disrupted life-saving humanitarian operations. Civilians are running out of food, water, fuel and other vital supplies, and many urgently need medical care. That is why there must be immediate, full, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access to all in need. In addition to killing hundreds of civilians, the violence has also killed three World Food Programme (WFP) staff and an International Organization for Migration Sudan staff member, and we mourn with their families and colleagues. The suspension of WFP activities will directly affect countless others, but unfortunately the United Nations had no choice. Diplomats, including a United States diplomatic convoy, have come under attack, and our Embassy has been hit by direct and indirect fire. Such acts are reckless and irresponsible, and they are shameful. As all are aware, we have been consistently calling on the security forces to protect diplomatic personnel and facilities and civilian and humanitarian infrastructure, consistent with the Sudan’s obligation under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Lastly, I want to reiterate that there must and will be accountability for anyone, including military and political actors, who attempts to undermine or delay the Sudan’s democratic progress. The same is true for anyone responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations or abuses of human rights. The United States stands in solidarity with the people of the Sudan. We stand in solidarity with the humanitarian workers, who have continued to try to provide assistance. As we have repeatedly said to the Sudanese security forces, it is time to put down the guns and start talking.

First of all, I would like to thank Secretary-General Guterres for his briefing. I would also like to thank Ambassador Mohammad, Permanent Observer of the African Union (AU) to the United Nations, who spoke on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings. The recent eruption of armed conflict in the Sudan has led to massive civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. China is a good friend and partner of the Sudan, and it pains us to see the country relapsing into turmoil. China calls on both parties to the conflict to prioritize the interests of the country and its people and immediately end hostilities so as to avoid a further escalation of the situation. We have noted that both parties to the conflict have committed to a 72-hour ceasefire beginning on 25 April. We hope that they can ensure that the humanitarian ceasefire is fully implemented, civilians are effectively protected, the safety of foreign institutions, personnel, and diplomatic missions in the country is ensured and security and logistics support provided for humanitarian aid and the evacuation and relocation of personnel. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parties concerned for their assistance and facilitation in the evacuation and relocation of Chinese personnel. China commends the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the League of Arab States and other relevant organizations and countries of the region for their critical role in responding to the situation in the Sudan. We welcomed the AU emergency special meeting on 20 April and its communiqué. IGAD has asked the leaders of South Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti to conduct mediation, and we hope they can visit the Sudan as soon as security conditions allow. We also acknowledge the efforts of the Secretary-General and the United Nations team and support the United Nations in continuing to coordinate with the AU, IGAD, the League of Arab States and other regional organizations in creating synergies. On 15 April, the Security Council issued a press statement (SC/15257) on the situation in the Sudan, sending a clear message calling for a ceasefire and promoting peace talks. In considering its next steps on the issue of the Sudan, the Council should fully hear out and respect the opinions of its African members and regional organizations such as the AU and IGAD. The Sudan is an important country in the Horn of Africa. Should the current conflict drag on and escalate, the risk of a spillover effect will undoubtedly increase. That is not in the interests of the Sudan and will damage regional peace and security. Right now we should prioritize facilitating the immediate cessation of hostilities, urge both parties to the conflict to resolve their differences through dialogue and put the political process, socioeconomic development and the social order back on track. The reasons for the current turmoil in the Sudan warrant serious reflection. The international community should respect the Sudan’s sovereignty and ownership and support it in exploring institutional arrangements in line with its national conditions. Imposing an external solution or setting up an arbitrary timetable is likely to be counterproductive. The 20 April communiqué issued at the AU emergency meeting reiterates its rejection of any form of external interference in the internal affairs of the Sudan, which is very important. The international community should carefully take into account the concerns of the Sudan and the countries of the region. In conclusion, I want to reiterate that China firmly supports the Sudan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and hopes that the country will see a speedy end to the conflict and return to the track of peace, stability and national development.

I thank the Secretary-General, Special Representative Volker Perthes, the representative of the African Union and the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. I would like to underscore five points. First, the situation on the ground is desperate. Since 15 April the clashes have resulted in the deaths of more than 450 people, and 4,000 injured, and the actual toll is likely much higher. We condemn the indiscriminate violence. Civilians, humanitarian personnel, hospitals and United Nations staff members should never be targeted. The looting of humanitarian aid depots must also stop. The people responsible for those violations must be held accountable. In response to the emergency, we have evacuated the members of the French community and others representing 42 nationalities. We thank the Djibouti authorities for their help, and we will continue to work with the United Nations in pursuing its evacuation operations. We should prioritize ensuring that the humanitarian ceasefire agreed by both parties is upheld. The halt in fighting is vital if we are to enable civilians to find refuge and respond to the emergency by establishing humanitarian corridors. France, together with its European Union partners, has not ceased to respond to the humanitarian needs of the Sudanese population. Financial assistance from the European Union, which has totalled almost €600 million since 2013, was already increased in February from €44 million to €73 million. We will continue to fully do our part. The current ceasefire must be maintained. We are ready to support such efforts with the stakeholders of the region and all international actors, including the United Nations. The Security Council’s action will complement the efforts of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the League of Arab States. Collective and coordinated action is crucial, given the risks facing the unity of the country and the stability of the region. The crisis is increasingly jeopardizing the realization of the hope that resulted from the 2019 revolution. It is a huge setback to the peace process and the transition to a civilian Government. France is concerned about the spiral of violence at the national level and the formation of armed groups based on communal identities. We call on all Sudanese political forces to refrain from taking part in the fighting. We condemn any attempt, whether by former regime forces or foreign actors, to add to the instability. The international community will not support a fait accompli that is decided by weapons. France expresses its solidarity with the Sudanese people. I commend the bravery of the members of the Sudan’s civil society. I am thinking of those who are trapped in the fighting but who continue to help one another. I am also thinking of the mediation efforts of organizations, political parties and local authorities. When the time comes, all political forces must engage in a peaceful and inclusive process in the interests of all the people of the Sudan. And the Council must speak out and support the initiatives of the African Union and the region.

I would like to thank all our briefers today for their sobering remarks. I thank Special Representative Perthes in particular for providing us with the most recent updates, and I join others in expressing our hope that the United Nations team is holding up and staying safe under such difficult circumstances. I also add our voice to all those who have offered their gratitude for his hard work and express the condolences of the United Arab Emirates to the families of our United Nations colleagues who have lost their lives in service. Like many countries around the world, the United Arab Emirates has been focused on urgently getting our citizens and those of other nations to safety since the outbreak of conflict on 15 April. To date, we have evacuated individuals from 19 countries out of Khartoum to Port Sudan and, in collaboration with Egypt, helped secure the safe return of Egyptian soldiers in the Sudan. But at the same time, as we focus on the evacuation of international citizens and diplomats, we must not forget those who remain. The safety of Sudanese civilians is of equal priority to the United Arab Emirates. We mourn the 427 lives already accounted for as having been lost to the conflict. Due to the lack of data on the ground, those numbers could be much higher, as Special Representative Perthes just said in his briefing. It is now more important than ever to halt the hostilities and maintain the 72-hour ceasefire that began at midnight last night. The agreement brokered by the United States will help pave the way for crucial humanitarian relief, but we also need assurances of full implementation by all the forces on the ground, which according to our information on the ground remains a challenge. We commend the dedication of the region’s leaders to de-escalating the crisis, and we need to maintain that momentum. Last week, in their statements, the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the League of Arab States decisively called for a ceasefire. As regional and international actors work together to support the Sudan, we must all be focused on preventing any regional spillover. We should ensure that the Security Council’s own work is aligned with and reinforces those critical efforts. The regionalization of the conflict will succeed only in making a dire situation worse. Our briefers today have also highlighted the critical situation that millions of Sudanese people are facing. Khartoum is under fire, and life has become unsustainable. With no food or water and unreliable electricity and connectivity, people are desperately fleeing to safety. Meanwhile, the fighting continues unabated in other parts of the country, leading to further displacement. The crisis has crippled aid operations serving nearly 10 million Sudanese people and is preventing aid agencies from responding to the needs of the newly displaced. Almost one third of Sudan’s medical facilities are now out of service, while others have come under fire or have been looted. That demonstrates the dangerous conditions in which Sudanese medical professionals find themselves. I would like to commend here the heroic efforts of those who continue to do their life-saving work, and call for full assurances for their protection as they conduct those necessary activities. We are also extremely concerned about reports today that technicians cannot access the Sudan’s national public health laboratory to secure potentially hazardous biological material. We call on the parties to allow unhindered access for the World Health Organization and local public health officials in order to secure and verify the safety of the material. Aid workers and diplomatic staff are in danger. Five Sudanese aid workers have been killed since the outbreak of violence. In the past 24 hours, Mohamed El-Gharawi, an official at the Egyptian Embassy in Khartoum, also lost his life. We offer our condolences to Egypt following that loss. We also unreservedly condemn those actions and share our condolences with all grieving families in the Sudan today and in the days ahead. The United Arab Emirates is taking concrete steps to alleviate the urgent humanitarian situation on the ground and provide evacuation support for all those requesting it. As an immediate measure, we are contributing $50 million in emergency humanitarian aid. Prioritizing the most vulnerable, including women and children, the sick and the elderly during the evacuations, the United Arab Emirates will continue providing care and accommodation assistance to the evacuees who come to our country. We also remain actively involved in efforts to de-escalate the situation on the ground. Alongside our partners, including the AU, IGAD, the League of Arab States, the quad — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the United Kingdom  — the European Union and the Sudan’s neighbouring countries, we will continue to support all efforts to de-escalate and make the space for dialogue, as we have been doing in the past two weeks. In conclusion, stability will not come from violence. Rather, fighting will cause further unbearable suffering and lead to greater numbers of casualties. There will be no military victory in the conflict and Sudanese civilians alone will pay the price. That is why all actors — regional, national and international — must unite their efforts and remain resolute in our calls for a permanent ceasefire with a view to bringing the crisis to an end. We support the Secretary-General’s efforts in that regard and will continue to work tirelessly for an end to the conflict.

I thank Secretary-General Guterres and the United Nations for their tireless work on the ground. I also thank Special Representative Perthes, Assistant Secretary-General Msuya and Ms. Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union (AU), for their insights. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those deceased, and wish those wounded a speedy recovery. I would like to make four points. My first point concerns the protection of civilians. While we take note that the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces have largely upheld the three-day humanitarian ceasefire during Eid and assured the safe passage and departure of evacuees, civilians are still under attack. Some foreign nationals were attacked during the evacuation process. A large number of civilians, including women and children, are being forced to stay in an area in which active fighting is under way. Foreign nationals, international organization and other aid agency personnel and diplomats also remain in the country. Japan strongly calls for the parties to protect those people and abide by international humanitarian law and human rights law. In that regard, Japan takes note of the latest agreement by both parties to extend the ceasefire for another three days. We urge the parties to implement that agreement in good faith and stop the violence, killing and looting. Secondly, with regard to the cessation of hostilities, Japan is deeply concerned about the continued fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Japan calls on the parties to agree a permanent ceasefire and return to peaceful dialogue. The Council must speak with a united voice in that regard. Thirdly, Japan greatly appreciates the efforts of the Secretary-General, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other international, regional and various Sudanese players to realize the humanitarian ceasefire. We look forward to their further collaboration in order to improve the situation, and Japan stands ready to contribute to that end. Fourthly, the Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned political process must not be suspended. The return of a civilian-led transitional Government is the only way forward to achieve peace and prosperity in the Sudan, as well as to ensure that the country receives further international assistance. Japan respects the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Sudan and is ready to contribute to the efforts of the Sudanese people in that regard. We must not let the Sudan fail. The continued deterioration of the situation will have unforeseeable negative impacts, not just on the people of the Sudan but also on the region and beyond. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate our full support for the efforts of the United Nations in the Sudan and our solidarity with the people of the Sudan. Allow me to thank, among others, the United Nations, France, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea for their cooperation and solidarity in the safe evacuation of Japanese nationals.

We welcome the presence of Secretary-General Guterres at the start of today’s meeting and thank him for his clear diagnosis of the seriousness of the situation in the Sudan. We are grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Volker Perthes, for his briefing and above all for his work at the helm of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan. We would also like to thank Ms. Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Ambassador Fatima Kyari, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, for their briefings. We hope to hear the important information that Mr. Wais, Special Envoy of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, has to tell us. We also recognize the Permanent Representatives of Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Sudan and the Sudan, who are with us in the Chamber today. Ecuador expresses its solidarity with the people of the Sudan and extends its condolences to the families of the Sudanese citizens and diplomatic, international and humanitarian staff who have lost their lives there in the past few days. We condemn the clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which have created a crisis affecting civilians and have so far left hundreds dead and thousands wounded, including women and children. As the Secretary- General said, the guns must be silenced. And the least that we can ask right now is for the 72-hour ceasefire that was agreed yesterday to be respected. The international community cannot remain paralysed in response to this tragedy and an enormous humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the deaths of some of the humanitarian staff of the United Nations and other organizations tasked with providing humanitarian assistance in the Sudan. Those acts cannot go unpunished. Attacks on critical civilian infrastructure have destroyed water treatment plants, hospitals and airports, which is a violation of international humanitarian law and disproportionately affects civilians, and which must cease immediately. Before the conflict, a third of the population was in need of humanitarian aid, including 4 million children under five in urgent need of emergency food assistance. However, with their attacks on humanitarian services and civilian infrastructure, the hostilities have led to a complete halt of those activities, putting the country’s most vulnerable citizens in immediate jeopardy. We call on the parties to meet their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law. It is imperative that humanitarian corridors be established and evacuations of wounded civilians allowed. We echo the Secretary- General’s call for immediate action to guarantee the security of humanitarian staff remaining in the country. It is clear that the international community is demanding that the parties be committed to and ensure the security and protection of civilians, diplomatic missions and United Nations staff, as well as humanitarian and medical personnel, together with humanitarian goods and services, in order to guarantee the safe departure of foreign citizens from the Sudan. Ecuador reiterates the content of the press statement (SC/15257) issued on 15 April in which the Security Council expressed its deep concern about the clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and urged the parties to immediately cease their hostilities and restore calm. It called on the parties to resume dialogue in order to resolve the current crisis. In this complex situation, we cannot lose sight of the fact that illicit arms trafficking is exacerbating the situation for civilians and could jeopardize the security and stability of other countries in the subregion. Ecuador attaches great importance to the efforts of the countries in the region, regional organizations such as the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the League of Arab States, and all parties that support efforts to put the country back on track to a transition process to restore constitutional order. The Security Council must act in line with its current mandate and use all the tools at its disposal, including those outlined in the Charter of the United Nations.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council — Gabon, Mozambique and my own country, Ghana (A3). At the outset, the A3 would like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement. We also thank the briefers, Special Representative of the Secretary- General Volker Perthes, Assistant Secretary-General Joyce Msuya and Her Excellency Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. We welcome the acceptance by the Sudanese parties of the 72-hour ceasefire, which started at midnight, despite the tenuous state of peace in the Sudan, particularly in Khartoum. We note the painstaking efforts that regional and international leaders have made to get the two sides to pause the fighting and encourage sustained and focused engagement with the parties in order to silence the guns in the Sudan. We also encourage maintaining the ceasefire and urge both sides to engage in dialogue and establish humanitarian corridors so as to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and protection for civilians caught up in the conflict. In that regard, we note the cooperation of the parties in allowing the evacuation of the diplomatic staff of some missions, as well as the staff of various international organizations and non-governmental organizations. We continue to consider it important to ensure the retention of the minimum staff capacity needed to provide adequate and coordinated humanitarian assistance to all internally displaced persons and refugees. As the A3, we have been mindful of the full spectrum of the dynamics of the situation in the Sudan and have asserted strong support for a regional-led approach to resolving the outbreak of the armed confrontation between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. We call on all Council members and the Sudan’s international partners to support a careful approach, guided by the Swahili proverb that “running is not necessarily arriving”. Since the outbreak of the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces on 15 April, the international community has maintained a united position on the conflict. It is important that we work to maintain that unity of purpose and a coherent approach so that we can assist the Sudanese people in overcoming this regrettable and very difficult moment in their nation’s history. The cost of the present conflict in the Sudan has been high. It is reported that more than 450 people have been killed and more than 3,700 injured. We regret the loss of life and commiserate with the families of the victims, including the families of the nine children and the four United Nations personnel who have died. We wish the injured a speedy recovery and hope that the two sides will consider the toll of the conflict in their further decisions necessary to stabilize the Sudan. The A3 is particularly concerned about three key issues. The first is that we need to maintain coherence and prioritize efforts to maintain the cessation of hostilities, de-escalate the situation and protect civilians, including the injured, international officials, diplomatic agents and foreign nationals. We call on all the parties to resume the political process for sustainable peace in the Sudan and in the region. We are encouraged by the actions taken by the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States and neighbouring and other States to keep that key objective in focus. We commend the concerted efforts made to achieve the current ceasefire and the role that the Secretary-General has played in support of the region’s engagement with the leaders of the Sudan. We emphasize the importance of ensuring that our actions are coordinated if we are to be effective in resolving the continuing concerns and succeeding in the further efforts needed for a permanent cessation of hostilities. The second issue of interest to the A3 is the need to contain and abate the hostilities in order to prevent a widespread and long-drawn-out conflict. We therefore urge the two sides in the Sudan to cooperate with the processes for the implementation of the communiqué of the Ministerial Special Session on the Sudan held on 20 April under the auspices of the African Union. We strongly appeal to all armed groups to avoid involvement in the ongoing conflict, in support of the aspiration of the people of the country for a de-escalation of the situation. We reiterate our collective rejection of any external interference in the ongoing conflict, which would complicate the situation on the ground. The Sudan should not be a place for clashes of international geopolitical interest. We emphasize that the continent can no longer tolerate such clashes and their consequences. Lastly, the A3 is concerned with the implications of the present conflict on the security of the region. We welcome the very clear clarifications that have been issued by authorities and actors in neighbouring States to indicate their non-involvement and/or non-offensive conduct against the territorial integrity of the Sudan. We encourage neighbouring States to continue to play a positive and constructive role for the stabilization of the Sudan and request international institutions to work with them as appropriate in managing the effects of the conflict, including support in managing refugees, such as the 20,000 refugees that have been reported to have gone to Chad as a result of the situation, adding to the nearly 400,000 refugees that the country is already dealing with. Before concluding, let me underscore the A3’s resolve to continue to play a role that will be helpful to our common effort to stabilize the Sudan. We commend the constructive role of different actors and know that while all members of the international community may have an interest in the situation in the Sudan, for those of us in the region and the continent, our interests are enduring and proximate. Our resolve remains undiminished. In conclusion, the A3 reaffirms its solidarity with the Sudanese people and its commitment to respect the territorial integrity of the country. We know that in such challenging times it is easy to oversimplify the concerns of other parties and actors. We do not seek to do that, and we hope others will not seek to do the same. We believe, as another African proverb says, that even though the tree of patience may have bitter roots, its fruit is sweet. We therefore hope that working constructively we can all make a meaningful contribution to help stabilize the situation in the Sudan as soon as possible.

I thank Special Representative Perthes, Assistant Secretary-General Msuya and Permanent Observer Kyari Mohammed for their briefings, and I hope we will be joined later by Special Envoy Wais. I also welcome the Permanent Representatives of the Sudan, Egypt, Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Malta strongly condemns the violence that broke out in Khartoum on 15 April, and we echo the Secretary- General’s message. We call on both parties to cease hostilities, restore calm and return to dialogue towards the long-term transition for a civilian-led Government in the Sudan. Malta deplores in the strongest stems all attacks against civilians, medical and humanitarian workers and diplomatic personnel. Our condolences go to the families of all those who are tragically killed. We remind the parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensure rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians. Since the start of clashes, over 400 people have been killed and thousands wounded. Before the escalation, the Sudan was already facing a major humanitarian emergency with 16 million people requiring emergency humanitarian assistance, 3.1 million of whom were severely food insecure. The recent violence serves only to compound their hunger, pain and vulnerability. As civilians are in desperate need of health services, the Sudan’s hospitals have become unreachable and are running out of medical equipment and medicine. Tens of thousands of pregnant women are put in danger when seeking urgent care, and, as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General has informed us, women and girls are at higher risks of sexual and gender-based violence as protection services are interrupted by the clashes. Children were reported to be sheltering in schools, as fighting rages around them. Specific attention must be given to women, children, the elderly and those with disabilities to ensure that they are not left behind in protection and evacuation operations. Malta fully supports pauses in fighting, including the ongoing nationwide ceasefire. It is critical for that to be fully respected, and we hope that it is maintained and consolidated. In that vein, Malta commends the ongoing coordinated efforts for a lasting peace in the Sudan. We underline the importance of diplomatic efforts by the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) and the European Union to ensure that dialogue remains key with a sustained return to the negotiating table. We echo our support to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his good offices and his team at UNITAMS for their unfaltering commitment to the Sudan’s path towards stability. Malta also welcomes efforts at the local and national levels. We recognize the engagement of key signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement, assisted by the trilateral mechanism, as well as other religious and societal leaders. We encourage those efforts to be fully inclusive, including women, youth and civil society, to ensure that all Sudanese are represented. We urge both parties to hear and act on those calls. Those are all encouraging efforts in extremely difficult circumstances. However, without an end to the violence, we risk a destabilized Sudan with potential spillovers in the region and beyond. The Security Council’s central commitment to all those efforts must be reinforced in view of its primary role of maintaining international peace and security. Malta continues to support strong unified messages by the Council, in concert with regional initiatives. We remain steadfast in our solidarity with the Sudanese people. We remain convinced that issues raised by the warring parties must be resolved by dialogue. The aspirations of the Sudanese people ought to be back at the front and centre. There is no more time to lose. The violence must end before it is too late.

We express our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his strong commitment and to the Special Representative for his briefing. We thank him and his team for the work they have done under the current extremely difficult circumstances. We also thank the Assistant Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs and the Permanent Observer of the African Union for their briefings. We hope to also hear the briefing of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Special Envoy. The civilian population in the Sudan is paying a very heavy price for this spiral of violence, as they were hoping for a peaceful democratic transition. The events of the past few days are clearly a worst-case scenario. In that context, I would like to emphasize three points. First, hundreds of civilians have been killed, thousands more injured and the toll is rising. We express our condolences to the victims and their families. Our thoughts are also with all the civilians who are currently trapped in shelters, waiting for the fighting to stop. Switzerland notes the fact that yesterday the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces declared a nationwide ceasefire for three days. Against the background of several unsuccessful attempts to silence the arms in recent days and even hours, we call on both parties to fully and immediately respect the ceasefire. Secondly, we are gravely concerned about the humanitarian situation, which is deteriorating by the day. The clashes, especially in urban areas, make the delivery of humanitarian aid almost impossible. The only hospitals that are still operational are less and less able to help the many wounded. That is untenable and unacceptable. Switzerland urges both parties to assume their responsibility by allowing and facilitating rapid, sustainable and unhindered humanitarian access to civilians in need, and by allowing the evacuation of the wounded. Furthermore, we urge the parties to fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law. That includes taking special precautions to protect the most vulnerable, such as children, and not targeting areas where they might take refuge, including schools. Thirdly, both parties must ensure the security and protection of the civilian population and diplomatic missions and staff, United Nations and humanitarian and medical personnel, as well as humanitarian goods and services. To date, at least five humanitarian workers and an embassy employee have been killed, humanitarian property has been looted and attacks have been carried out against United Nations staff and property, non-governmental organizations and diplomatic missions. That must stop. Intentionally directing attacks against personnel, facilities or equipment employed in a humanitarian assistance mission could constitute a war crime. We regret that some of those personnel, including our own Embassy staff, had to be evacuated due to lack of security. This significantly limits the ability of many organizations, both bilateral and multilateral, to support the Sudanese population in these difficult times. In conclusion, we welcome the ongoing diplomatic efforts of regional organizations, including the African Union (AU), IGAD and the League of Arab States, and of bilateral partners. In that regard, close coordination is essential, as underlined in the communiqué of the AU ministerial meeting of 20 April. That said, we must also highlight the tireless efforts of the Sudanese civilian actors who remain at the heart of a lasting solution and a peaceful future. The Security Council has an essential role to play in restoring peace and security in the Sudan. Switzerland stands ready to support efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and calls on all members of the Council to speak with one voice, as they did on 15 April, to promote a complete end to hostilities and a return to dialogue between the parties.

We also thank all of today’s briefers, and particularly thank Mr. Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for briefing us on the latest updates on the ground. Albania is concerned about the continued fighting that has left more than 700 people killed and more than 4,000 injured. We strongly condemn civilian fatalities, including the deaths of United Nations staff members and humanitarian aid workers. We express our condolences to the victims’ families and wish a quick recovery to those suffering severe injuries. This situation is a sharp reminder of the urgent need for a lasting ceasefire across the country and for restarting peace negotiations. In that regard, we echo the calls of the Secretary- General and Special Representative Perthes for an immediate ceasefire and an end to all forms of violence. We urge all sides to resume dialogue in order to stop the ongoing crisis and to put the security and the welfare of civilians first. In that context, we welcome the 72-hour ceasefire brought by the West. We urge all parties to uphold their commitment to it and to work towards enforcing the humanitarian arrangements. Albania encourages all regional and global players to urge the parties to commit to defusing the situation and immediately halting all hostilities. Furthermore, we welcome the diplomatic efforts of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the League of Arab States and the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan. We also welcome the communiqué issued by the African Union Peace and Security Council on 16 April, the ministerial special session of the African Union on 20 April and today’s diplomatic efforts. As mentioned during the briefing, the armed conflict has exacerbated the humanitarian situation, pushing it from dire to catastrophic. We therefore join the call for full, secure and unhindered access to all those in need and trapped inside buildings, including schools, hospitals and damaged infrastructure. In that context, we pay tribute to all the United Nations staff on the ground and applaud ongoing United Nations efforts. We also thank medical staff and humanitarian aid workers for their tireless efforts in helping those trapped in conflict and evacuating United Nations personnel and foreign nationals. We call on the rapid support forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces to uphold their commitment under international humanitarian law. In conclusion, Albania reaffirms its commitment to standing with the Sudanese people in their pursuit of peace and stability. In that regard, the Council should spare no effort in responding to this situation with urgency.

Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General, Special Representative Perthes, Assistant Secretary-General Msuya and Her Excellency Ms. Fatima Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union, for their briefings. I also want to thank the United Kingdom for requesting today’s meeting and welcome the delegations of the Sudan, Egypt, Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. We are gravely concerned about the situation in the Sudan. Brazil deplores the violence that erupted on 15 April and the ensuing fighting. We deeply condemn the threats to millions of civilians caused by the heavy fighting in Khartoum, North Darfur, South Darfur, North Kordofan, Northern state and Al-Qadarif in the first days of the hostilities. We tracked with apprehension the clashes in the Blue Nile, West Darfur and Central Darfur, which raised our fears that the conflict had spread to almost every part of the country and could even spill over to its neighbours. We also deplore the many violations of international humanitarian law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, including violence perpetrated against the personnel of humanitarian agencies, diplomatic missions and international organizations. We reiterate that there must be no politicization of humanitarian assistance, nor selective application of international humanitarian law. The Sudanese people have faced severe economic hardship in recent months. Even before the conflict erupted, humanitarian needs across the country were already at record levels. The economic crisis is severe. We must therefore not allow the Sudanese people to become embroiled in a conflict with profound, unpredictable effects. Violence must stop. We echo the words of the Secretary-General in that regard. The ceasefire negotiated before Eid Al-Fitr was a step in the right direction. The agreement announced yesterday by Secretary Blinken emboldens hopes of halting hostilities. We appreciate the hard work of the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD, the Arab League, the United States, Saudi Arabia and all those who have enabled these negotiations to succeed. We welcome the apparent commitment to a permanent cessation of hostilities and call on both parties to show their willingness to stop the fighting and engage in dialogue. We should always bear in mind that the Sudanese civil society is the main stakeholder in the current stage in the Sudan’s road to a transitional Administration and a civilian-led legitimate Government. Before the recent military clashes, the Sudan was as close to a comprehensive political deal as it had been since October 2021. Street protests have been a feature of its cities for many years. Violent scenes of repression did not discourage the resilient Sudanese who took to the streets. We therefore reiterate our solidarity with the people of the Sudan, express our condolences to those who lost loved ones in this senseless conflict and encourage the Sudanese society to persist on the path towards a civilian-led Government. In the last few days, many Brazilian citizens have left the Sudan and are making their way back home in safety. We appreciate the support provided by the United Nations and other countries to that end. It is our great hope that the Sudanese people, including those who have had to leave their country, also enjoy peace and safety in their homes.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Russian Federation. We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his brief introductory statement at our meeting today, and we listened very carefully to the briefings by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Volker Perthes, and by the representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Joyce Msuya. We are also grateful to the head of the African Union Mission to the United Nations, Ms. Fatima Mohammed, for her participation in today’s meeting, as well as that of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan, Mr. Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed, and other representatives of countries of the region. The Russian Federation is deeply concerned by the clashes in the Sudan since 15 April between regular Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. We have been following developments very closely. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating, and in many regions of the country there are shortages of food and medicines. Attacks on diplomatic mission staff and representatives of international organizations accredited in Khartoum are particularly alarming. We agree that the relevant task today is to carry out evacuations from combat zones. We underscore that it is not only United Nations staff and Western nationals who are in dire straits in Khartoum but also other foreigners and Sudanese people themselves, whose problems deserve equal attention. We welcome the efforts of all Sudanese forces that are working to ensure the safe evacuation of people who wish to leave the country and the responsible approach shown by the Sudan’s neighbours, which are providing support to this process. We must state that the current crisis in the Sudan is to a large extent due to external interference in its sovereign affairs as well as attempts to engage in political engineering and impose democratic formulae on the country. The political situation in the Sudan was difficult from the very beginning. Sudanese political forces were fragmented, and their cooperation was under colossal pressure due to historic, ethnic, economic and other factors. This is also true of the relationship between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Security sector reform in the country was one of the most complex issues, requiring increased attention and a painstaking negotiation process. However, what have observed that many external players artificially forced through a process for the transfer of authority to civilian forces and imposed a great many decisions that were not accepted by vast swathes of the population. A host of countries trumpeted the Sudan political framework agreement of 5 December 2022, but it did not turn out to be an inclusive platform for the various Sudanese forces. Several political heavyweights were left out of this format, which made it unlikely to foster a comprehensive resolution. The provision of sorely needed international assistance to the country was directly tied to the transfer of authority to a civilian Government. As a result, the imposition of so-called democracy through pressure and blackmail caused the fragile stability in the country to be sacrificed. This has been disappointing to see in the context of activities of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), which very recently reported to the Security Council on its achievements (see S/PV.9289). On many occasions, we drew attention to the fact that UNITAMS should not focus its efforts only on one objective, namely, seeking an ultimate agreement, while also ignoring a whole host of issues in its mandate. As a result, the crisis in the Sudan caught everyone off guard. In the region, efforts to reconcile parties are continuing. We note the mediation work carried out with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, as well as neighbouring countries. We note the agreement reached over the weekend on a ceasefire that will allow for the general fighting in the Sudanese capital to be less intense. However, it has not been able to stop the fighting completely. Regional players should be provided with the necessary space and time. It is critically important not to repeat the experience of Libya, where African political efforts were haughtily cast aside, and Western countries’ use of force wreaked havoc on the country and destabilized half of the continent. It is important that all mediators act in a united manner in order to calm the situation independent of their possible national interests. We fully support those colleagues who today spoke about the unacceptable nature of any external interference in the sovereign affairs of the Sudan that could add fuel to the fire. Such interference could turn the country into a platform for geopolitical plays, in particular those provocations that are being carried out by Western media at the moment. We are certain that citizens of the Sudan can and must resolve their domestic problems themselves. They are fully able to do this and decide who is a friend and who is not. We call on the warring parties to demonstrate political will and undertake immediate steps for a cessation of hostilities. We believe that any disagreement can be resolved around the negotiation table. In conclusion, we wish to reaffirm the unwavering readiness of the Russian Federation to continue to provide assistance to a friendly Sudan, successfully overcome the current difficulties and return to a path of peace and sustainable development. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

I would like to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres, for his briefing and for his efforts to establish peace in the Sudan. I also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Volker Perthes for his briefing, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Joyce Msuya, the Permanent Observer of the African Union, Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, and the Special Envoy of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Mr. Ismail Wais. I also wish to convey our sincere condolences on the deaths of the Egyptian administrative attaché and the international staff members. Madam President, I extend my congratulations to you on your country’s assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April 2023, and we commend the ingenuity with which you have steered the Council’s agenda during the month. Allow me to put the recent events in the Sudan in the right context. Based on the official position of the Government of the Sudan, these unfortunate events, which started on 15 April, resulted from the rebellion of the Rapid Support Forces against the Sudanese Armed Forces. In a number of locations in the capital and in some other cities, the former have attempted to seize power through a military coup by launching coordinated attacks on the residence of the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and the headquarters of the General Command of the Sudanese Armed Forces, as well as Khartoum International Airport and other vital and strategic facilities. The attacks took place on the same day as a meeting between the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and the Commander of the rebel Rapid Support Forces, which was scheduled to discuss the technical arrangements for the full integration of the Rapid Support Forces into the Sudanese army to ensure the building of a single national army characterized by professionalism and unity of leadership and command-and-control, and to strengthen military doctrine in accordance with the established professional traditions of the Sudanese army that it has accumulated over more than a century. Our army is known for professionalism, moral guidance and discipline. Faced with this rebellion and based on its constitutional, national and moral obligations to protect the country’s national security, territorial integrity, sovereignty and stability, the Sudanese Armed Forces are defending the status quo created by the revolution in the context of the transition recognized regionally and internationally. The armed forces are dealing with this rebellion in a way that would restore normalcy and ensure the safety of civilians and the security and stability of the country and end the dual military and security presence. It is well known that in modern States, the armed forces are united under a single governmental and constitutional entity, which is the regular army. And in doing so themselves, the Sudanese Armed Forces have committed to a combat strategy aimed at minimizing civilian casualties and damage to private and public property in order to end the control of the rebelled units of Rapid Support Forces over the Government sites and homes and private buildings they had seized or captured. The President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces issued a decision dissolving the Rapid Support Forces and declaring it a rebel force against the State. He also announced that some of its units, such as its border guard, would be integrated into the Sudanese Armed Forces. The door is still open for the members of the rebel force to lay down their arms and integrate into the Sudanese army according to the conditions applied in such cases. To deal with the consequences of this crisis, the Sudanese leadership has heeded the call of the Secretary- General to implement a three-day truce, in line with the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr, in order to ensure the safe passage and evacuation of civilians, the staff of diplomatic missions, employees of regional and international organizations, as well as the evacuation of wounded and stranded persons. The Sudanese Armed Forces have adhered to the truce, despite the violations by the other side. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has continued to receive, since the first day of confrontations and throughout the truce, many communications from diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies and other organizations accredited with the Republic of the Sudan informing us that their headquarters and residences have been subjected to storming and trespassing and that ambassadors, diplomats and employees had been intimidated by the Rapid Support Forces, in violation of international humanitarian law. The Sudan’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in the interest of ensuring the security and safety of those diplomatic missions and in line with its duty, immediately informed the competent State authorities of those infringements. The State authorities proceeded to reinforce the security presence around diplomatic headquarters in the light of the circumstances the country is going through. However, the activities of the rebel forces, through assaults with various weapons in residential neighbourhoods and their attacks on civilians and looting of their properties represent an ongoing threat to public security and safety in general. And they have directly endangered the headquarters and staff of diplomatic missions and international and regional organizations. Those rebel forces are also targeting law enforcement agencies and releasing inmates and detainees, some of whom are convicted of serious crimes such as terrorism, human trafficking and murder, which poses a threat to public security and illustrates the state of indiscipline and loss of command and control. We call on all states that love peace, stability and peace in the Sudan to condemn those rebel forces for their deployment and continued fighting in populated cities and residential areas, which endangers civilians, including women and children. We would like to mention that the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, has received calls from several Heads of States requesting him to facilitate and ensure the evacuation of their nationals and diplomatic missions from the country. His Excellency agreed to extend the assistance needed to ensure such evacuation for several states. A number of diplomatic missions and organizations wishing to do so have evacuated hundreds of their employees, with the cooperation of the Sudanese authorities, which has been granting the necessary permits, securing the nationals to be evacuated and providing them with care and protection until they reach other, safer cities and regions inside the Sudan, or are airlifted out of the country. In a statement attributed to him on Monday, the Secretary-General praised the evacuation process, which did not witness any incident. We would like to point out that those successful evacuations were coordinated by forces from the following States: Saudi Arabia, the United States, China, Japan, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Bangladesh, Libya, Pakistan, France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Lebanon, Canada, the Netherlands, Djibouti, India, South Korea, Hungary, Denmark, Belgium, Tunisia, Switzerland, Austria, Morocco and Algeria. Some nationals of Argentina, Colombia, Ireland, Portugal, Venezuela, Mexico, Türkiye, Palestine, Iraq and Syria have also been evacuated, while citizens from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya are preparing to leave the Sudan. The evacuation process has reached an international level, attesting to the efficiency of the Sudanese Armed Forces in supervising the conduct of operations, despite the known security threats. While we express our appreciation for the efforts of the brotherly and friendly States and regional organizations aimed at de-escalating the situation in the country, especially the efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union and the League of Arab States, we stress that this matter is an internal matter that should be left to the Sudanese to find the required solutions among themselves, without negative international interferences. We are therefore deeply concerned about the insistence of some members of the Security Council to convene a series of unnecessary Council meetings that serve their national agendas that have nothing to do with the interests of the Sudanese people. The Sudan will not accept the negative pressure exerted by some of members of the Council. The African Union, which is the organization that represents the African continent, has clearly called for non-interference from outside in this internal affair. The Sudan is closely working with IGAD and the African Union to activate their good offices, when conditions permit, at the Khartoum airport, which was damaged as a result of the repeated attacks by rebel forces. The Sudan believes in the principle of African solutions to African problems, which is in line with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. The Security Council must uphold those provisions of the Charter, respect the territorial sovereignty of regional organizations and give the Sudan and its regional neighbours leadership in dealing with the current situation. The Sudan is committed positively and on the highest level to the role of the Secretary-General and his good offices based on his integrity, impartiality and political experience in brokering peace agreements when armed conflicts erupt. I invite the Council to adopt the Secretary-General’s approach of considering the underlying causes of conflict, in line with the spirit of the founders of the United Nations. In that context, the Sudan is committed to implementing the political transition process, engaging in dialogue and committing to the cessation of hostilities and responding positively to regional mediation efforts. We therefore hope that the role of the Security Council will be harmonized so that its input does not constitute an obstacle to the good offices of the Secretary-General. The Sudan has been on the agenda of the Security Council for the past 18 years. We have made a great effort to engage with the Council in a more positive manner than before, including by attending meetings of the International Criminal Court after it was boycotted. We have also tried to limit the designation of the Sudan under Chapter VII by ending the sanctions. International wisdom dictates that the Sudan should not be subjected to any further injustices. I therefore call on the Council to ensure the continuity of its positive engagement with the Sudan, while clarifying what is going on the country according to a rational approach, in line with our narrative. The Sudan remains listed and held prisoner. But we are capable of defending our national interests and adapting to the Council’s dynamics and current divisions. We have explained why the blockade imposed in the aftermath of the events of 25 October 2021 was ineffective. We thank the United Nations system for starting to constructively engage with the Sudan. We should indeed work to contain the current situation and provide the Sudan with the possibility of engaging with regional efforts, including by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union and the League of Arab States, which are working tirelessly to find a solution to the conflict. It is also worth mentioning that despite its current hardships and the positions of certain States, the Sudan was able to win membership on the Human Rights Council by 157 of 195 votes, which means that for all intents and purposes the boycott is over. I call on the Council to strike a balance between the Sudan’s current situation, which cannot be described as civil war or widespread hostilities, given its commitment to the renewed and extended humanitarian truce and the armed forces’ determination to ensure the evacuation of all accredited diplomatic and United Nations international personnel, on the one hand, and the Security Council’s responsibilities for maintaining international peace and security, on the other. In that regard, the Security Council is represented by the African Union Peace and Security Council and IGAD, which are also experienced in conflict resolution as envisaged in the Charter, which defines the role of regional organizations in such circumstances, especially in view of the African Union’s adoption of the principle of African solutions to African problems. We should ensure that the Sudan is given the opportunity to renew hope in collaboration with regional mediators. We should not be forced to deal with the emerging national security threats alone or cope with the boycott that certain parties seek to impose. We would rather see the possibility of interactive and positive engagement with the United Nations forum, which can in turn strengthen our ability to adapt to and cope with the most difficult circumstances. We would not be seeing the recent events if the international community had honoured its commitments and provided the financial support needed to finalize the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process in Darfur, which is an example from which we can learn. The peacebuilding process was short-sighted. Some parties tried to include in the reintegration process inputs that were not relevant to the armed forces, thereby undermining the principle of national ownership based on the traditions of the Sudanese army and its well-known contributions to peacekeeping operations since the 1960s within United Nations missions. The fighting has led to a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in some cities, forcing a large number of civilians to flee their homes and seek more secure areas and cities in the Sudan, and negatively affecting living conditions in general. The areas affected are currently suffering from food shortages and insecurity caused by the rebel forces’ hostilities and a lack of health care, electricity and drinking water. Alongside the Government’s current adherence to the truce for another three days, the competent authorities in the Sudan are sparing no effort to improve the humanitarian situation by providing assistance to the people affected, restoring and improving basic services such as health care, electricity, drinking water and security. I want to take this opportunity to thank the friendly and brotherly States that have taken the initiative to provide humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people through bilateral engagement with the relevant authorities, and especially to thank the United Arab Emirates, which has provided $15 million in support to the humanitarian operations. In conclusion, I do not need physical evidence to prove the scope of the damage and suffering caused by the rebellion and its devastating consequences. Despite everything that I have just mentioned, the Sudan still has a united Government that is shouldering its responsibilities for carrying out its functions. It did not declare a state of emergency, and what took place has not spilled over in the region. The Sudan will overcome the difficult situation it is currently dealing with. We hope that the repercussions of the rebellion will go no further, and we call on the Council to understand the exceptionally urgent situation and enable us to take the time we need to make the progress necessary to return the Sudan to a better place and restore hope in meeting the aspirations of the revolution, which are freedom, peace and justice.

I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

I thank you, Madam President. We also thank the Russian presidency of the Council for convening this important meeting. I am grateful to Mr. Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and the other briefers for their presentations, including Ms. Joyce Msuya and my sister Ambassador Kyari. I am also grateful for the condolences extended to Egypt on the death of our assistant administrative attaché at our Embassy in Khartoum. At the outset, Egypt expresses its full solidarity with the people of our brother country of the Sudan in its current crisis, which is exacerbating the effects of successive complex crises that the Sudan has endured for many years. Egypt stands ready to provide all possible support to help the Sudan overcome the current crisis, restore peace, resume peaceful dialogue and prevent bloodshed. We condemn the fighting, which has led to hundreds of deaths and injuries, particularly among Sudanese civilians. We are once again seeing armed clashes and continuing ceasefire violations, which is a source of concern, as the lives of Sudanese civilians and foreign nationals in the Sudan are in danger and the already difficult living conditions there are deteriorating further. Egypt hopes that the ceasefire announced yesterday will be fully maintained and respected. At the same time, we call for ensuring that voices of wisdom can prevail, bringing an end to the hostilities and using dialogue to resolve the differences that led to the outbreak of the fighting. In that regard, on 20 April, Egypt took part in the extraordinary international ministerial meeting of the African Union on the situation in the Sudan, in which we came together to issue a final communiqué. We have been in contact with all international and regional stakeholders and organizations with a view to finding a way out of the current crisis. On the ground, we are cooperating with States to evacuate Egyptian and foreign nationals living in the Sudan. In that context, we acknowledge the effective efforts and cooperation of the Sudanese authorities in facilitating the evacuation, despite the difficult security situation. We salute the United Nations and the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan for their efforts at every level. Egypt and the Sudan share a common history, which is why we are committed to averting bloodshed and restoring peace and stability for the Sudanese people. We reiterate the importance of preserving the stability, territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of the Sudan, which represents a strategic component of Egypt’s own national security. Egypt’s position on the issue of the Sudan and recent developments there is unambiguous and unequivocal and can be summarized as follows. First, Egypt stresses the need for an immediate, general and comprehensive ceasefire. It must be maintained, and not limited in its humanitarian aspects if we are to avert further bloodshed and maintain the security and safety of civilians and assets of our brother people of the Sudan. Secondly, the Sudanese conflict is an internal matter. In that regard, Egypt warns against any form of foreign intervention in the Sudan, regardless of its nature or source, as it can only exacerbate the situation. At the regional and international levels, we must all avoid a recurrence of actions that can destabilize States and undermine others’ peace and security, which is what we have seen and are still seeing in other countries and regions in Africa and beyond Thirdly, Egypt stresses the need to ensure cohesion among the Sudanese State’s institutions so as to curb the risk of their collapse or disintegration in a manner that deviates from the traditional framework of any modern nation-State. Fourthly, Egypt stresses the inevitability of relaunching a political dialogue in the Sudan. We express our hope that the military operations will end as soon as possible in order to avoid a downward spiral into a worse and more dangerous security situation for the Sudan and its brotherly people. We wish to underscore the need for any future political process in the Sudan to be comprehensive and conducted with caution when it comes to dealing with thorny and intertwined issues. Fifthly, no one can ignore the deteriorating economic conditions that have caused so much suffering in the Sudan for decades. One of the direct results of the current conflict is the accelerated exacerbation of that situation and the additional burdens as a result of the possible collapse of the country’s infrastructure. Although we cannot measure the magnitude of that currently, it will inevitably have severe negative repercussions on the economic and living conditions of the brotherly Sudanese people. The international community must anticipate that situation and prepare a rapid response once adequate conditions are in place in order to rectify it as soon as possible. In conclusion, Egypt reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for the brotherly Sudan. We will relentlessly pursue our endeavours to calm the situation and restore security and stability to the country. We continue to stand ready to work with all stakeholders and international partners to defuse the current crisis as soon as possible.

I now give the floor to the representative of Djibouti.

I would like to thank Special Representative Perthes, Assistant Secretary- General Msuya and Her Excellency Ms. Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union (AU), for their briefings and valuable input today. I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Ambassadors here in New York. In the light of the current developments in the Sudan, the group of Ambassadors of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development member States in New York would like to state the following. The group notes with concern the ongoing conflict in the Sudan, which has led to civilian casualties and the destruction of property. We urge the leaders of the parties to heed the call to immediately and unconditionally cease hostilities and de-escalate tensions and give peace a chance in line with the outcome of the fortieth Extraordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, which took place virtually on Sunday, 16 April. It also recalls the communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union at its 1449th meeting, held on 16 April, on a briefing on the situation in the Sudan. The group emphasizes the African Union’s position on the current situation in the Sudan with regard to the need for the parties to swiftly embrace a peaceful solution and inclusive dialogue to resolve their differences as a means to promote stability and respect the wishes of the people of the Sudan for the restoration of democracy, constitutionalism, the rule of law and freedom, as well as the rejection of any external interference in the Sudan’s domestic affairs. The group calls on all actors and partners to rally behind the regional mediation effort and extend maximum support to facilitate the visit to Khartoum of three Heads of State, namely, President Ismaël Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, President William Ruto of Kenya and President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan. They are ready to jump-start talks between the parties as soon as security conditions permit. The group welcomes the announcement of a three-day humanitarian truce in response to the Secretary-General’s plea on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. It equally welcomes the United States-brokered 72- hour nationwide ceasefire, which started yesterday at midnight, to allow for unfettered humanitarian access to the civilian population. We hope that the parties will abide by the ceasefire and work in good faith with the mediators to negotiate and conclude a permanent ceasefire as soon as possible. The group reiterates its commitment to the resolution of the situation in the Sudan within the principle of African solutions to African problems. We urge the Security Council to encourage and provide adequate support to regional and continental mediation efforts. In these trying times, the group affirms its solidarity with the Sudanese people and reaffirms its support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of the Sudan. (spoke in French) Allow me to make a few remarks on behalf of my country, Djibouti. Djibouti is honoured to have served as a key hub for the evacuation of personnel and nationals of friendly countries. We are pleased to see that those operations were conducted effectively. Djibouti’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the competent authorities were fully mobilized and worked tirelessly to provide assistance to teams to ensure that those operations were carried out in the best possible conditions. Our thoughts are with for those Sudanese people negatively impacted by the deterioration of the security situation in the Sudan, especially the difficulties accessing water, food, electricity and medicine. According to the reports we have heard today, the humanitarian needs are immense. We are, however, encouraged by the readiness of the United Nations, bilateral partners and other humanitarian actors to meet those needs in a timely and coordinated fashion. We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the families of those victims who lost their lives, and we wish those injured a swift recovery. Djibouti wishes to take this opportunity to reaffirm its steadfast solidarity with the people of the Sudan. The relations with between our two peoples are long- standing, our affinities abundant and our bonds of friendship unbreakable. The guns must be silenced immediately, and dialogue must resume as soon as possible. (spoke in English) One death is one too many; one internally displaced person is one too many; and one refugee is one too many.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ethiopia.

I recognize the presence of my brother Ambassador Idriss Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Sudan to the United Nations, and thank him for his comprehensive statement. I also express our thanks to the Secretary- General for his remarks, and to Special Representative Volker for his briefing from the Sudan. We appreciate his efforts on the ground and wish him the best in his endeavours. I also thank Her Excellency Ambassador Fatima Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union (AU) to the United Nations, and Ms. Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, for their briefings. The sisterly country of the Sudan is facing a serious security challenge. In these trying times, Ethiopia stands in solidarity with the Sudan and its people. I would like to restate the confidence of the Government of Ethiopia in the wisdom of the Sudanese people to overcome this challenge, following their own paths and accompanied by the relevant regional organization, the African Union, and the regional economic community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The leadership of the Government of Ethiopia is fully engaged in support of efforts to return the Sudan to stability. I reiterate the call by His Excellency Mr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, on our brothers and sisters in the Sudan to embrace dialogue to resolve their differences. The Sudanese-owned and United Nations-AU-IGAD- facilitated political process should continue to provide the necessary platform to resolve all differences. We also wish to underscore the need to avoid the proliferation of initiatives that could potentially undermine the Sudanese ownership and African Union lead facilitation of the process. That is a clear case where we strongly insist on the support of the international community for an African solution to an African problem. In spite of the usual disrupting consequences of conflicts, the great people of the Sudan are renowned for their generosity and kindness. Beyond our deep people-to-people and cultural ties, Ethiopia and the Sudan enjoy extensive trade and economic relations. Our peoples’ movement across our borders is calm. We face good times and challenges together, in a true spirit of brotherhood. We are confident that Ethiopian nationals who are currently in the Sudan will be treated with the usual Sudanese kindness and assured safety in these difficult circumstances. For its part, Ethiopia will continue to offer safety and all the necessary support to our Sudanese brothers and sisters who are in need as a result of the situation. With regard to a settlement of the crisis, we commend our Sudanese brothers for the constructive ceasefire arrangements that have been made so far and the partners that have been involved in facilitating them. We encourage them to use the pause as an opening to return to dialogue, heeding the plea of the people of the Sudan for peace and stability. We ask the Council to exercise patience and wisdom in support of the African Union-led effort. The Sudan has seen more than its fair share of sanctions and pressure and now needs all possible constructive support from every one of its friends and partners. Finally, we ask the international community to avoid undue external interference and to stand in solidarity with the Sudan, while respecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I now give the floor to the representative of South Sudan.

First let me congratulate you, Madam President, on your country’s assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of April. We would like to thank the Secretary-General for his remarks on the crisis in the Sudan and to acknowledge the briefers for their useful and informative statements. We extend our condolences to the families of the more than 400 Sudanese victims of the crisis and of the international personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. We thank you, Madam President, for convening today’s timely briefing on the unfortunate crisis in the Sudan. South Sudan, the country with the longest border with the Sudan, and one that for the most part is not fully demarcated, stands to be directly and adversely affected by the events in the Sudan. It is estimated that approximately 2 million of South Sudan’s citizens are living across the Sudan, and they have been negatively affected since the outbreak of the crisis. South Sudan has opened its doors to those fleeing the crisis who have been able to make it to the border. As of yesterday we had received approximately 10,000 people, including nationals of other countries. Some have been connected with their countries and have reached home safely. We therefore call on all of the Sudan’s neighbours to open their borders to those who are fleeing from the conflict zones, as a show of humanity and goodwill in the spirit of ubuntu. South Sudan is also ready to temporarily host any international organization or United Nations agencies that may be considering relocating from the Sudan. Since the outbreak of the clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called for, first, an immediate ceasefire, a cessation of hostilities between both parties and a return to the negotiating process that was previously in progress. He has continued to stay in touch through daily phone calls with both Lieutenant General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, President of the Sudan and Chairperson of the Sovereign Council, and Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Deputy Chairperson of the Sovereign Council and head of the Rapid Support Forces. Secondly, the President has called for humanitarian corridors to be opened for those who would like to leave Khartoum and any other insecure areas in the Sudan and for humanitarian supplies to be allowed to reach those who are trapped or in need of life-saving assistance. Thirdly, he has asked that the leaders of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) be allowed to travel to Khartoum and meet with all the stakeholders with a view to enabling an eventual return to the negotiating table, in order to conclude what was started by the tripartite mechanism of the African Union, the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Lastly, we call on the United Nations, other regional organizations and the international community in general to support IGAD’s initiative in addressing the crisis and to allow the parties to return to negotiations under IGAD’s high-level delegation, which is led by South Sudan, with the membership of Djibouti and Kenya. Any multifaceted approaches will complicate the process and worsen the situation further.

I now give the floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia.

We are meeting today to discuss the critical circumstances facing our brother people of the Sudan. My country has been closely following the events in the Sudan with considerable concern and sympathy since the outbreak of the conflict on 15 April. We deplore the events that have unfolded and extend our condolences to the families of all the victims who have died in the recent clashes. We extend our condolences to Egypt following the death of the country’s assistant military attaché in Khartoum while on his way to the Embassy to coordinate the evacuation of Egyptian citizens. My country reiterates its call for a swift end to the military operations and for maximum restraint and de-escalation. The interests of the Sudanese people should be prioritized so as to preserve life and property and restore the framework agreement towards a political declaration that can lead to stability, security and prosperity for the Sudan and its people. We reiterate the importance of enforcing the current ceasefire and protecting civilians and diplomatic missions. Humanitarian corridors must be established to enable humanitarian actors to conduct their work and to facilitate operations aimed at ensuring the evacuation of civilians. My country is currently working with international and regional partners to maintain the truce in the Sudan in order to enable a resumption of the political dialogue between the parties concerned and to establish a ceasefire throughout the Sudan. Mediation efforts are ongoing with the support of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, who has continued to conduct talks with all Sudanese, international and regional parties. Saudi Arabia has responded to the requests for evacuation. In fact, the Saudi Royal Navy, supported by various branches of the armed forces, began initial essential evacuation operations from the Sudan at the start of the crisis. We have evacuated hundreds of Saudi nationals and other citizens of brotherly and friendly States, including diplomats and international officials, providing all the basic needs to ensure that foreign nationals can be repatriated. In that context, we appreciate the efforts and cooperation of the Sudanese authorities in facilitating the evacuation operations, as well as in securing corridors and facilitating the evacuation of civilians.

I now give the floor to the representative of South Africa.

I thank you, Madam President, for convening this meeting to discuss the ensuing conflict in the Sudan. I wish to thank the Secretary-General; Ambassador Fatima Mohammed, speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Special Representative of the Secretary-General Volker Perthes and Assistant Secretary-General Joyce Msuya for sharing their perspectives with us. It has been over 10 days since the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces started. This has caused untold pain and suffering to the Sudanese people and foreign citizens who found themselves caught up in this unbearable situation. South Africa urges the warring parties to observe the calls for a ceasefire and to use the time to create conditions conducive to diplomatic dialogue to resolve their differences. No one will be a winner in this conflict. The killing of over 470 people, with approximately 3,500 injured people, should be condemned by all of us. We commend the brave men and women who continue to work tirelessly to evacuate foreign nationals from the conflict areas to safety in nearby countries. We similarly thank all the humanitarian organizations and workers who provide the much-needed aid on the ground and wish to convey our condolences in connection with those who lost their lives in service. We therefore call on all parties involved to ensure that there is a smooth passage of people to places of safety without hindrance. The temporary ceasefire for evacuation provides short-term relief, and the people of the Sudan require a lasting solution to the current challenges. It also provides a reprieve, but does not guarantee lasting peace to the Sudanese people, who have endured hardship for a long time owing to the breaking out of conflicts at various intervals in the life of their nation. We remain committed to supporting the leadership of the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the efforts of the League of Arab States in working for peace. We appreciate the efforts of the Secretary-General and his team in working with the regional bodies and call on all our international partners to work with them and the Sudanese leaders to find a political solution. The destruction of property, the killing of innocent people and the ignoring of the calls by regional organizations and the international community to stop the fighting goes against the AU vision in aspiration of silencing the guns on our continent. We call on all interested parties to desist from actions and statements that will exacerbate the conflict. We stand in solidarity with the people of the Sudan as they seek lasting peace in their country.

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