S/PV.9492 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Sudan to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2023/940, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 14 votes in favour, none against and 1 abstention. The draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 2715 (2023). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

The United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of resolution 2715 (2023) and thanks Council members for their engagement. Let me be clear: the United Kingdom would not have chosen to close the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) at this moment. We commend the work done by the Mission before and since the outbreak of the conflict. However, given the unequivocal demand of the Sudanese authorities for the immediate termination of UNITAMS, we worked tirelessly as penholder to agree a compromise in order to allow an orderly transition and liquidation. We reiterate that the Sudanese authorities remain responsible for the safety and security of UNITAMS staff and assets during this transition, and we call for their full cooperation in allowing an orderly withdrawal and the transfer of relevant tasks, including by granting necessary visas in a timely manner. Conflict in the Sudan has derailed the political transition UNITAMS was created to support. The conflict has caused immense human suffering, atrocities against civilians and reports of ethnic cleansing in Darfur. There can be no military solution to this conflict, and the two warring parties should engage in meaningful talks towards a permanent ceasefire and transfer of power to a civilian Administration. Moreover, although the United Nations Mission to assist the democratic transition in the Sudan will close, the need for the United Nations and the international community to support the Sudanese people has not diminished. We welcome the appointment of Ramtane Lamamra as the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sudan, and we encourage all parties to engage with him constructively. The United Kingdom looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with Council members, the United Nations, the Sudanese authorities and other stakeholders to support the Sudanese people in realizing their aspirations for a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous future.

I would like to begin by welcoming the Personal Envoy for the Sudan to today’s meeting. On behalf of the three African members of the Security Council (A3), I would also like to sincerely thank the United Kingdom for facilitating the adoption of resolution 2715 (2023), relating to the termination of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) at the request of the Sudan. We also acknowledge the cooperation of the colleagues of the Permanent Mission of the Sudan during the negotiating process. Throughout the negotiations, and cognizant that UNITAMS was a special political mission under Chapter VI of the Charter, the A3 emphasized the need for closer engagement with the Sudan in order to ensure a smooth transition. We believe that, despite the challenging context of the negotiations, a clear set of expectations was established that will enable the United Nations and the Sudan to carry out the transitional and liquidation phases of the Mission in an orderly and secure manner. While the Council has obliged the Sudan’s request to terminate the Mission, we hope that our continuing interest in the resolution of the dire security and humanitarian situation in the Sudan and the impact on neighbouring states is not diminished. The situation in Darfur and other parts of the Sudan is disturbing, and we must all respond to the calls of the suffering Sudanese people for a cessation of the hostilities, the protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the numerous displaced persons, among other things. As members of the A3, we are more concerned — and rightly so — with the situation and will continue to engage constructively within the Council and our continental context with the processes required to abate the fighting that has ensued in the Sudan since 15 April, and to establish, together with the Sudan, a pathway towards peace, national reconciliation and the restoration of the constitutional order. In that regard, we reiterate our support for the processes led by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and also support all coordinated international efforts, especially the Jeddah-led process facilitated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States with the involvement of IGAD. We call on the parties in the Sudan to cooperate with the United Nations — especially the humanitarian agencies — following the exit of UNITAMS to deliver aid to those in need. The A3 underscores the importance of diplomacy in that context, encourages the Secretariat and the country team to demonstrate the same level of constructive engagement exhibited with the Council in the final moments of negotiations and resolve all technical challenges associated with the drawdown and liquidation. In conclusion, we reiterate our call on the parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and allow safe corridors for humanitarian assistance to be delivered to the suffering people in the Sudan. We also call on the parties to act to stop human rights violations, such as sexual exploitation and abuse, and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. Although the resolution did not address all our concerns, we voted in favour based on the considerations I mentioned, and especially in the interest of the people of the Sudan and that of lasting peace and security in our sisterly country. Finally, we wish to reiterate our call for non-interference in the Sudan by external parties and for all to respect the independence, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Sudan.

The Russian Federation abstained in the voting on resolution 2715 (2023), prepared by the United Kingdom, on the liquidation of the activities of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). Unfortunately, despite the attempts of the drafters of the document to bring closer together the points of view of all the member countries of the Council, for which we are grateful to our British colleagues, our key concerns were not addressed. The main goal of this resolution is to respond to the request of the Sudanese leadership to liquidate the Mission. That request was clearly and unequivocally formulated in the relevant letter (see S/2023/884) by the Sudanese Minister for Foreign Affairs dated 15 September 2023, addressed to the Secretary-General and forwarded by the Permanent Representative of the Sudan to the President of the Security Council on 16 November. Such a position is not arrived at by coincidence. We have to admit candidly that the Mission did not manage to carry out the tasks assigned to it. The Mission, which was created at the request of the Sudan to support the political process, stopped corresponding to the reality in the country that has changed. In fact, it acted in the interests of only one political group, which did not enjoy mass support among Sudanese society. I would like to emphasize that the liquidation of the Mission is the sovereign right of the Sudanese authorities. The confidence of the Sudan in the Mission was undermined largely because of the actions of the former Special Representative of the Secretary- General for the Sudan and the fact that a number of donors — for political reasons — did not honour their pledges of economic assistance. Many of the Mission’s mandated tasks remained on paper for many years; instead of helping to resolve the crisis, UNITAMS only compounded the situation, and the interaction between the United Nations and the Sudanese leadership was undermined. It is our view that our common goal was to turn this sad page in the interaction between the Sudan and the United Nations and to create a climate conducive to productive work by the newly appointed Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra. Those were to be the goals of the resolution adopted today. However, thanks to the efforts of some of our Western colleagues, it essentially became an instrument for exerting pressure on Khartoum. We understand the concerns of some of our colleagues, who pointed out that the liquidation of the Mission is taking place in the context of a worsening humanitarian situation in the Sudan. However, it is important to remember that the humanitarian and political components of UNITAMS had already been removed from its mandate. Various United Nations humanitarian agencies and structures continue to operate in the Sudan, and we urge them to step up their assistance in these difficult times. We cannot agree with the provisions of the resolution that stipulate that, in the absence of representatives of the Mission on the territory of the Sudan, a report should be prepared on the situation in the country. We have witnessed on many occasions how documents drafted in such conditions can have little connection to reality and lack reliability. Moreover, the risk of the politicization of such documents is only increasing. Nonetheless, that does not seem to deter certain members of the Security Council, because the most important thing for them is to retain the possibility of exerting pressure on the country in question and, on the basis of such documents, imposing their own agendas. We would like to point out that such behaviour is a reflection of the disdainful attitude of the collective West towards the problems experienced by the countries of the global South in the spirit of their long-obsolete yet zealously resurrected neocolonial approaches. I would like to take this opportunity to wish the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sudan, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, every success in his work in the spirit of constructive and unbiased interaction with all Sudanese parties. At the same time, we consider it important to ensure that all efforts to resolve the crisis in that country prioritize the goal of achieving peace and stability as soon as possible, the interests of the Sudanese people themselves, and the inviolability of the principles of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Sudan. With regard to the upcoming report on the situation in the Sudan in 90 days’ time, we hope that it will be entirely devoted to the successful and complete withdrawal of UNITAMS from the country.

I would first like to thank the United Kingdom, as the penholder, for its strenuous efforts to try to find consensus on the text. While the United States voted in favour of resolution 2715 (2023) in order to enable a safe and orderly drawdown of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), we are gravely concerned that a reduced international presence in the Sudan will serve only to embolden the perpetrators of atrocities, with dire consequences for civilians. If anything, the work of UNITAMS is all the more critical considering the ongoing open conflict, atrocities, human rights violations and abuses, the calamitous humanitarian situation for tens of millions of Sudanese and a growing risk of a spillover that threatens regional security and stability. Since the onset of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), there have been reports of serious and widespread abuses. As of October, the United Nations and international media have reported more than 10,500 civilian deaths. In addition, according to Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, as of November, more than 4.9 million individuals are internally displaced, and more than 1.2 million persons have fled the country since 15 April. The conflict has led to significant human rights abuses, including credible reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings, abductions, physical abuse and punishment, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions and arbitrary arrests and detentions. There are also reports of continued atrocities, including killings on the basis of ethnicity, targeted attacks on human rights defenders and the looting and burning of entire communities by the RSF and its allied militias in West Darfur. The atrocities occurring in West Darfur and other areas are an ominous reminder of the horrific events that led the United States to determine in 2004 that genocide had been committed in Darfur. The Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF are not only failing to protect the Sudan’s vulnerable populations, but they are also abusing human rights. Women and girls face pervasive and ongoing gender- based violence, including sexual violence, abduction and trafficking, and may be forced into manual labour or marriages. The belligerents, particularly the RSF, are involved in the vast majority of those violations. Children, too, have experienced the perpetration of human rights abuses, including sexual violence and abuse, killing and maiming, forcible recruitment and unlawful use by armed groups. Throughout the debate on the resolution, we put forth common-sense recommendations to extend the UNITAMS mandate and allow Mr. Ian Martin to conduct a thorough strategic review of the Mission that would help to refine and strengthen its continued role, working in support of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, in promoting an end to the conflict, a coordinated humanitarian response and the protection of human rights. However, other members of the Council did not agree, placing the narrow demands of the Sudan’s military Government ahead of the needs of the Sudanese people. Other members also refused to allow the Council to speak clearly and loudly in support of resolution 1591 (2005), which calls on all States to take necessary measures to prevent the sale or supply of arms and related material to actors operating in Darfur. This tragedy has gone on too long. We must unite to prevent external military support for either the Sudanese Armed Forces or the RSF and stop the flow of weapons into and through Darfur. While we believe the situation calls for a United Nations mission with a strengthened mandate, we welcome the announcement of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sudan, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, and hope that the Security Council can come together to support his work. We understand that the Sudanese parties have committed to engage seriously with the Personal Envoy and support his mission. We hope that they will do so. We also underline the necessity of an orderly UNITAMS transition and liquidation to ensure the safety of United Nations personnel and the effective functioning of all United Nations operations, including humanitarian and development assistance. The Sudanese people expect and deserve more from the Council. The situation for the Sudan and its people is dire.

Let me congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Council and thank China for steering its work in November. Turning to today’s adoption, I begin by thanking the United Kingdom, as the penholder, for its extensive efforts on this file. We also thank the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) and its staff, who have worked tirelessly for the Sudanese people since the Mission’s inception. We regret that the Council is convening today to terminate the Mission at a time when the Sudan and its people need it the most. That notwithstanding, we remain committed to ensuring that the UNITAMS transition yields continued tangible United Nations cooperation. That cooperation must address the dire needs of the Sudanese people, who are facing alarming humanitarian difficulties and violations of international humanitarian law. They are also subjected to grave human rights violations and abuses. As UNITAMS moves into the next phase, Malta strongly underlines the importance of a safe and orderly transition and liquidation. It is crucial that the safety of all United Nations personnel be safeguarded. We call on all relevant Sudanese parties to cooperate fully with the United Nations at this critical juncture. We specifically recall the Sudan’s legal obligations in relation to the status-of-mission agreement until the departure of the final UNITAMS element from the country. In our recognition of the invaluable work of United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, Malta fully supports the transfer of tasks from UNITAMS to the United Nations country team, specifically of any programmatic cooperation activities. We call for a reinvigorated approach to the presence of the United Nations on the ground to ensure that the functioning of all United Nations activities in the Sudan are effective and tangible and place the destinies of the Sudanese at its centre. The women and children of the Sudan are being subjected to untold suffering, particularly sexual violence and abuse. We cannot afford to leave them behind. They deserve our attention, and that is why Malta strongly believes that the Council must remain seized of the situation in the Sudan. While we welcome the appointment of Personal Envoy Lamamra, we look forward to written and oral updates being shared with the Council in a timely manner. In conclusion, we reiterate our call on both parties to immediately cease ongoing hostilities, enable the delivery of humanitarian aid and seek the eventual return to the political transitional process. Our message is clear. It is only through dialogue and mediation that the conflict can be resolved.

Japan thanks the United Kingdom, as the penholder, for its effort to seek common ground among Council members, the Sudan and the Secretariat to craft a compromise text for resolution 2715 (2023). Although the Council has decided to terminate the current mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan, the importance of the United Nations support for the Sudan remains unchanged given the difficult situation there. Japan voted in favour of resolution because it will enable the United Nations to seamlessly continue its support for the Sudan. In that regard, Japan strongly calls upon the parties in the Sudan to fully cooperate with the United Nations. Japan further calls for the Sudan’s cooperation on a safe and orderly transition and liquidation of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan. We must ensure a realistic time frame and necessary administrative and financial arrangements for those processes. Japan welcomes the appointment of Mr. Ramtane Lamamra as the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sudan. We wish him every success in using his good offices to engage with the Sudanese parties and the neighbouring States to complement regional peace efforts, and we expect him to play a role in assisting the Sudan’s transition towards democracy when the fighting ends. Japan also welcomes the Sudan’s stated intention to continue cooperating with the United Nations, including with the Personal Envoy. In the light of multiple reports of bureaucratic impediments, Japan calls on the Sudan to fulfil its responsibility as the host country. Let me conclude by reaffirming Japan’s commitment to the people of the Sudan.

I welcome the special envoy of the Sudanese Government to this meeting. The Council just adopted resolution 2715 (2023) deciding to terminate the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). China voted in favour of the resolution. China expects the Secretariat to develop, as required by the Security Council, a well-thought- out and comprehensive plan for the withdrawal of UNITAM’s personnel, the handover of its tasks and the liquidation of its assets, among other steps, and to maintain cooperation with the Sudanese Government to ensure the safe and orderly withdrawal of UNITAMS and to safeguard the safety and security of United Nations personnel and properties. The grinding conflict in the Sudan has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Facilitating an early restoration of peace and stability in the Sudan is the fervent aspiration of the Sudanese people and the shared desire of the international community. After the withdrawal of UNITAMS, how the United Nations will respond to the local situation and play its due role remains a major issue before the Council. China has noted that the Sudanese Government is open to exploring continued cooperation with the United Nations. We call on the Secretariat to carefully heed the views of the Sudanese Government and regional organizations, including African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, so as to gear such cooperation towards meeting the practical needs of the Sudan and providing tangible support for its peaceful development. It should be pointed out that United Nations missions are an important means for the Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security. The recent problems that have emerged in the cooperation between the United Nations and a number of African countries have further demonstrated that missions’ operations must adhere to the principle of country consent and be conducive to enhancing trust and cooperation with the countries concerned, which is the prerequisite for the smooth delivery of missions’ mandates. It is hoped that the Security Council will prioritize the promotion of missions’ communication and cooperation with the countries concerned, respect their will, acknowledge their national realities and avoid imposing external solutions. China supports the appointment by Secretary- General Guterres of Mr. Lamamra as his Personal Envoy for the Sudan and expects the Personal Envoy to step up his engagement with the Sudan, countries of the region and other relevant parties and play a constructive role. China will continue to support the Sudan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and will continue to make positive contributions to the maintenance of peace and development in the Sudan through vital and multilateral channels.

At the outset, allow me to congratulate China on the work accomplished during the month of November and to assure you, Mr. President, and your team of our full support for your presidency. We thank the United Kingdom for its efforts and its constructive and consultative approach aimed at reaching a compromise on the text of resolution 2715 (2023), which was put to the vote today. We have taken note of the Sudanese authorities’ decision to terminate the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). That decision comes against the backdrop of persistent fighting with a catastrophic toll on the civilian population. Millions of people are displaced. Millions of people are dependent on humanitarian aid and desperately seeking safety from the violence. We hear warnings of the real risks of genocide and other atrocity crimes  — crimes that are taking place in a context of almost complete impunity. We simply cannot turn a blind eye. We reiterate our urgent call on the parties to cease hostilities immediately and to respect their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law, in particular with regard to the protection of civilians. The resolution we have just adopted, which refers to this alarming situation, therefore rightly requests that the Council be kept regularly informed by the Secretary-General of the threats to international peace and security arising from the situation in the Sudan and the efforts undertaken by the United Nations. That is essential to enable the Council to assume its responsibilities as set out in its mandate. We welcome the appointment of Mr. Ramtane Lamamra as the Personal Envoy of the Secretary- General and wish him every success. We assure him of our full support for his good offices to complement ongoing diplomatic efforts under the leadership of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. We are encouraged by the Sudan’s assurance to continue cooperating fully with the United Nations and the Personal Envoy. I would also like to thank all the United Nations staff who have worked tirelessly over the past few years. Switzerland remains committed to working constructively with the Sudan, regional actors and the members of the Council to promote peace and security in the country.

Let me start by congratulating you, Mr. President, and your team on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. I also would like to congratulate China on the way it presided over the Council during the month of November. We thank the penholder for working relentlessly and for accommodating different views. Albania voted in favour of resolution 2715 (2023) requesting the termination of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) as of 3 December, following the letter of the Government of the Sudan, which was taken into full consideration. However, we remain deeply concerned about the Sudan’s escalating insecurity and human crisis, where civilians continue to endure human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law. Therefore, terminating the mandate of UNITAMS was not a decision taken lightly. Albania regrets the outcome of events in recent weeks and praises the UNITAMS personnel for their unwavering dedication and commitment in the pursuit of peace and stability in the Sudan under very challenging circumstances. We stress that the security of United Nations personnel is paramount. Albania calls on all Sudanese parties to cooperate fully with UNITAMS and United Nations agencies during the transition and liquidation phase. We welcome the appointment of the Secretary- General’s Personal Envoy for the Sudan, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, and express our support in his challenging task. In conclusion, it is crucial that risks associated with an orderly UNITAMS termination are mitigated as best as possible. Regardless of the closure of the Mission, Albania will continue to stand with the people of the Sudan. In that vein, we reiterate our call to the conflicting parties to uphold their international obligations for the protection of civilians, in particular of women and girls. Now more than ever, it is imperative that humanitarian efforts are sustained to prevent the further deterioration of an already catastrophic situation in the country.

I would like to thank the United Kingdom again today for its tireless and effective efforts in its capacity as a penholder that has steered resolution 2715 (2023) to its adoption. As the Council terminates the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) in response to the Sudan’s request, I would also like to take this opportunity to express my country’s gratitude and appreciation to UNITAMS personnel for their dedication in carrying out their work. Let me be clear: the United Nations is not abandoning the Sudan. The Security Council will follow the drawdown and transition process to its conclusion. We are sure that the findings and recommendations of the independent strategic review currently under way will assist the Council in understanding the needs and capacities required to support the Sudanese people and the Sudan under these exceptional circumstances. We also wish every success to the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Sudan, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, in his new appointment. We are fully aware of the complexity that comes with the drawdown of United Nations missions, including the logistical challenges that must be overcome. We hope that the Mission’s withdrawal process will take into account the lessons learned from past experiences and that of the authorities in ensuring the safety of United Nations personnel, as well as ensuring a smooth transition of tasks and expertise to the United Nations country team. I want to stress that the effectiveness of United Nations efforts requires close cooperation with the host State. The Sudan’s 16 November letter expressed the commitment “to engaging constructively with the Security Council and the Secretariat on a new, appropriate and agreed upon formula, with a view to ensuring positive and implementable results” (S/2023/884,  p.2). That close cooperation will be critical, particularly throughout the coming weeks and months. We reiterate our call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Sudan and the implementation of the parties’ commitment to what was agreed to in Jeddah in May, including unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of civilians. The United Arab Emirates supports all diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing this crisis to an end and believes that there is no military solution that provides the Sudanese people with security or stability. At a moment of significant security, political and humanitarian challenge, our ultimate objective is clear — peace, stability and prosperity for the people of the Sudan.

I congratulate Ecuador and its excellent team on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month, and China on its always-competent presidency, in November. I welcome the Personal Envoy and the delegation of the Sudan to this meeting. Brazil entered these negotiations hoping for the renewal of the mandate of United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), as we believed it could still contribute to improving the situation in the Sudan. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the request made by the Sudan and the fact that the consent of the host Government is essential to any United Nations mission. We thank the United Kingdom for drafting a text that addressed the requests made by the Sudan and many of the concerns shared by Council members. We thank Deputy Special Representative Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UNITAMS leadership and the Mission’s personnel for their hard work in challenging circumstances. We deem it essential that the Sudan’s stakeholders do their best to facilitate a safe and orderly withdrawal for the UNITAMS personnel in the Sudan and a smooth conclusion for the Mission’s mandate. The concerns of both the Sudan and the international community must be met as UNITAMS concludes its mandate. Brazil remains gravely concerned about the situation in the Sudan. Months of conflict have caused unbearable pain to the Sudanese people, especially women and children. That must end at once. We thank the British delegation for drafting a press statement that captures some of the worries shared by Council members and regret that we were not able to issue it. We underscore the value of including the main concerns from the press statement in the just-adopted resolution  2715 (2023). Finally, we welcome the appointment of Personal Envoy Ramtane Lamamra, a seasoned and very experienced Algerian career diplomat, a former Secretary-General and Foreign Minister of Algeria, with extensive experience in the African Union and the United Nations and an expert in African affairs, and wish him all the best on the way forward. We hope his engagement with the parties to the conflict leads to further constructive dialogue among their leadership, facilitating a peaceful settlement of differences that can halt the ongoing fighting and bring peace and hope to the Sudanese people.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Ecuador. First, I wish to express my appreciation to the Chinese delegation for its leadership during the month of November as President of the Council. I thank the delegation of the United Kingdom for its work on the text of resolution 2715 (2023) and its highly constructive role in reaching the necessary compromises in this vote. We deplore the context of violent fighting, with severe consequences for the civilian population, which has led millions of people to flee the violence to seek refuge far from their homes. We are concerned about reports of a series of events that, if confirmed, could constitute crimes against humanity. We reiterate our urgent call on all parties involved to immediately cease hostilities and to respect their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law. We believe that the recently adopted resolution rightly addresses this alarming situation by establishing regular reports to the Council on threats to international peace and security arising from the situation in the Sudan, as well as the efforts undertaken by the United Nations. This mechanism is essential if the Council is to be able to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to it. That is why we voted in favour of the resolution. We also welcome the appointment of Mr. Lamamra as Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General and wish him every success. We look forward to continued diplomatic efforts led by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to all the United Nations staff for their tireless and dedicated efforts over the past years in the Sudan. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of December. We trust that you will be able to conduct the work and deliberations of the Council in an optimal manner. We also wish to thank your predecessor, His Excellency the Permanent Representative of China, Mr. Zhang Jun, for his wise leadership and constructive cooperation with the delegation of the Sudan during his presidency of the Council for the past month. We also extend our gratitude to all the permanent and non-permanent members of the Council and to the penholder for their positive engagement with us and for listening to our vision over the past days. And we thank all members for their interest in the ongoing events in the Sudan. The Government of the Sudan and the country’s senior leadership are working to end the war, address its effects and complete the course of the transition period by reviving an expanded political process with genuine national will and leadership that leads to free and transparent elections, in which all Sudanese people of all political orientations take part, in a manner that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people for peace, security and prosperity and leads to the handover of power to a civilian-elected Government. We thank the Council for positively responding to the request of the Government of the Sudan to terminate the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). We affirm the Government’s readiness to continue constructive engagement with the United Nations by strengthening cooperation with the country team on issues of recovery, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development support, in addition to continuing cooperation with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to deliver relief aid to those in need, which is our top priority to end the war at this stage. In our efforts to underscore that cooperation, the Government concluded the Jeddah Agreement on 15 May, which was supplemented by the seven-point agreement signed with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 4 November. We would like to stress that the Sudan remains committed to facilitating the delivery of emergency relief from Port Sudan to all areas in the Sudan, and to facilitate all procedures after ending the blockage of the cross-border route between Chad and the Darfur region imposed by the rebel Rapid Support Forces militia. We would like to emphasize that the Government of the Sudan’s constructive engagement with the United Nations will continue through cooperation with the Secretary-General’s new Personal Envoy for the Sudan. In that regard, we would like to express our appreciation for the good offices that the Secretary-General has continued to extend in standing by the Sudan to stop the ongoing war. We also value his special interest in the Sudan. In that regard, we refer to the directives of the Chairperson of the Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, to the high national committee responsible for cooperation with the United Nations, namely, to facilitate all procedures related to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to ensure the highest degree of coordination with the United Nations. Lieutenant General Al-Burhan transmitted two letters to the Secretary-General communicating that special interest in the issue of humanitarian assistance, and he also confirmed it in his meeting with the Secretary- General during the high-level week of the General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session. The Sudan reaffirms its commitment to cooperating with the United Nations on procedures to end the UNITAMS mandate and its liquidation, including the exit of its personnel and equipment. We also reaffirm the commitment of the Sudan’s Government to the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. In conclusion, the Sudan is engaged in a just defensive war against a cross-border aggressor militia that has targeted its people and their resources and livelihoods. The war waged by the rebel militia seeks to bring about a comprehensive demographic change in the Sudan, driven by tribal tendencies. That runs contrary to the Sudan’s ethnic, cultural and religious pluralism. For that reason, The Sudan requires from the Council its support and understanding of the force majeure exceptional circumstances that my country is experiencing. We call on the Council to stand by the Sudan in order to preserve its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and to condemn the heinous crimes committed by the rebel militia in violation of international humanitarian law, human rights law and all relevant international laws. The rebel militia has mobilized mercenaries from various States to undermine the security and stability of the Sudan and the stability of the entire region. We also appeal to the Council to call on the external parties and States supporting the rebel militia to stop interfering in the Sudan’s internal affairs. The Sudan will not forget the role of the peace-loving States that supported it and stood by its side during its ordeal.