S/PV.9761 Security Council

First, I would like to recall that the Security Council is a place of respect among Members of the Organization and with regard to the representatives, and I request all participants in today’s meeting to observe the appropriate standards of tone, wording and content in their remarks. In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Sudan to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Hanaa Eltigani, Assistant Secretary-General of the Youth Citizens Observers Network, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I have the pleasure to warmly welcome the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, to whom I now give the floor.

I thank the Security Council for the opportunity to discuss the utter humanitarian catastrophe engulfing the Sudan. Eighteen months have passed since the brutal fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The suffering is growing by the day, with almost 25 million people now requiring assistance. The people of the Sudan are living through a nightmare of violence, with thousands of civilians killed and countless others facing unspeakable atrocities, including widespread rape and sexual assault. In recent days, we have heard shocking reports of mass killings and sexual violence in villages in Gezira state, in the east of the country. They are also enduring a nightmare of hunger, as more than 750,000 people face catastrophic food insecurity and famine conditions take hold in displacement sites in North Darfur, while millions struggle to feed themselves every day. They are confronting a nightmare of disease, with cholera, malaria, dengue fever, measles and rubella spreading fast; a nightmare of collapsed infrastructure, with vital health systems, transportation networks, water and sanitation systems, supply routes and agricultural production grinding to a halt; a nightmare of displacement — the largest displacement crisis in the world, with more than 11 million people having fled since April 2023, including nearly 3 million who have crossed into neighbouring countries; a nightmare of extreme weather, with nearly 600,000 people affected by heavy rains and floods this summer. And the Sudan is once again rapidly becoming a nightmare of mass ethnic violence, in particular with the dramatic escalation of fighting in El Fasher. We have consistently appealed to both sides to end the fighting and come to the negotiating table, but, instead of lowering tensions, they are escalating military action. Meanwhile, outside Powers are fuelling the fire. We face the serious possibility of the conflict igniting regional instability from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, to the Red Sea. Resolution 2736 (2024), adopted earlier this year, sent a strong signal, but we need action on the ground. The resolution requested me to make recommendations to protect civilians in the Sudan, which I submitted to the Council last week (S/2024/759). In that regard, allow me to outline three key priorities. First, both sides must immediately agree to a cessation of hostilities. Such an agreement should be translated into local ceasefires and humanitarian pauses, creating new avenues of dialogue and laying the ground for a comprehensive ceasefire. At the same time, diplomatic efforts  — including support to implement the commitments in the Jeddah Declaration  — must be intensified to finally bring an end to the conflict. My Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is working around the clock to achieve that objective. He convened the parties in Geneva to enhance humanitarian access and strengthen the protection of civilians in the Sudan. He has also supported the coordination of mediation initiatives, in collaboration with regional partners, in particular the African Union High-level Implementation Panel on the Sudan. I urge the Council to continue supporting his efforts, and I encourage effective engagement with regional partners, including the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the League of Arab States, as well as other key partners. I salute the efforts of the African Union and the IGAD towards an inclusive Sudanese political dialogue, which would provide an important platform for civilians, including women, to speak out about the importance of ending the war and to lend their voices towards a peaceful and democratic future. That brings me to my second point: civilians must be protected. We need the Council’s support to help protect civilians, in line with human rights law and international humanitarian law, including the parties’ own commitments in the Jeddah Declaration. The parties to the conflict bear the primary responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians and to come to the negotiation table. I am horrified by the Rapid Support Forces’ continued attacks against civilians in El Fasher and the surrounding areas, which include displacement sites where famine conditions have been confirmed. I am also horrified by reports of attacks against civilians perpetrated by forces affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum, and by continuing mass civilian casualties due to apparently indiscriminate air strikes in populated areas. The perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable. And domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms must have the space for documenting what is happening on the ground. Civil society and journalists must be able to do their jobs safely without fear of persecution and attacks. The direct or indirect flow of weapons and ammunitions into the Sudan, which continues to fuel this conflict, must cease immediately. Diverse Sudanese voices, human rights organizations and others have called for stepped-up measures — including some form of impartial force — to protect civilians. Those calls are a reflection of the gravity and urgency of the situation facing civilians in the country. At present, the conditions do not exist for the successful deployment of a United Nations force to protect civilians in the Sudan. The Secretariat stands ready to engage with the Council and others on the range of operational modalities that can meaningfully contribute to the reduction in violence and the protection of civilians. That may require new approaches that are adapted to the challenging circumstances of the conflict. (spoke in French) Thirdly, humanitarian aid must flow. Despite continued access and funding challenges, the United Nations and its partners reached about 12 million people with humanitarian assistance between January and September of this year  — from water, sanitation and shelter to healthcare, education and emergency nutrition. But huge gaps remain. Many of those reached have been assisted just once. Some of the areas with the most urgent needs remain cut off entirely. Rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access must be ensured through all necessary cross-border and cross- line routes. The reopening of the border crossing at Adré was an important step  — and it must remain open. I urge the parties to allow more life-saving aid to flow into the areas of greatest need through the most efficient routes. We need to ensure that humanitarian workers can move throughout the country rapidly and safely. And we need funding. Our humanitarian funding appeal of $2.7 billion is only about 56 per cent funded, and coverage of the regional refugee response plan for the Sudan is even lower. I urge donors to step up with additional flexible funding. At the same time, I pay tribute to the heroic efforts of the leaders of the many Sudanese-led initiatives providing vital and life-saving assistance on the ground. The more than 700 emergency response rooms in the Sudan are an inspiring example of grass-roots humanitarian action. Through their work, the people in those networks are showing us another side of the Sudan  — the best example of humanity in a country enduring the worst of it. We can all draw inspiration from their efforts. As outlined in my report to the Council (S/2024/759), it is time for action — decisive action — for peace for the people of the Sudan.

I thank the Secretary-General for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Eltigani. Ms. Eltigani: I would like to thank you, Madam President, for inviting me to speak about my country, the Sudan. I stand here as a young Sudanese woman, a peace and justice advocate and the Assistant Secretary- General of the Youth Citizens Observers Network (YCON). YCON unites organizations and resistance committees from across the Sudan to monitor political, security, humanitarian and human rights conditions, amplifying the voices of youth committed to a future of freedom, peace and democracy. Today I speak not on behalf of Sudanese youth or women, but as a member of YCON and someone whose life is deeply tied to the Sudan’s ongoing struggle. I come from a place of pain and hope, where our dream for a just Sudan has been overshadowed by a brutal power struggle threatening an entire generation’s aspirations. In April 2023, the Sudan plunged into a war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, displacing more than 11 million people. Many fled through harsh terrain, facing dangerous conditions and smugglers. Men, women, children, the elderly and the disabled have all been driven by desperation to seek safety. As I speak, atrocities continue to be committed across various states in the Sudan, most recently in Gezira and Sennar states. The humanitarian crisis in the Sudan grows daily. In some areas, children survive on tree leaves, with many dying from malnutrition and diseases. Women, already marginalized by decades of structural violence, now face sexual abuse, forced marriages and a lack of medical care, silenced by trauma and fear. We must be their voices, ensuring their suffering is not overshadowed by those prioritizing power over justice. Sudanese women face compounded challenges owing to intersecting issues such as poverty, patriarchy and racial discrimination, especially in marginalized communities. Recognizing that intersectionality is crucial to creating a Sudan in which peace brings dignity and opportunity for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity or social background. The Sudan’s infrastructure is in ruins; schools, hospitals and homes lie destroyed as economic collapse drives families into poverty. This conflict is not just an armed struggle; it is the destruction of futures. Youth activists have witnessed unimaginable horrors. We have seen our friends and families displaced and the healthcare system collapse, leaving countless lives at risk. Our cries for justice have been met with repression, arrests, torture and death. Yet, we persist, resisting any attempts to silence our vision for a better Sudan. The war has transformed Sudanese civil activism. Many organizations, including YCON, have been forced into exile owing to relentless harassment, while others remain in the Sudan, offering vital support to those left behind. Youth and grass-roots movements have shifted focus to humanitarian relief, filling gaps left by a fractured State. Emergency rooms and communal kitchens have emerged, symbols of resilience and solidarity. YCON has also adapted, monitoring the war’s implications on civilians and our shared dream of democracy. Despite restrictions on speech, assembly and movement, we in YCON strive to monitor conditions on the ground, speaking out to reclaim our dignity, history and future. We call upon the following parties to act on the following recommendations. Concerning the warring parties in the Sudan, first, there must be an immediate ceasefire. The warring parties in the Sudan must implement an immediate, unconditional ceasefire to protect civilian lives, allow humanitarian access and create space for peace negotiations. Secondly, critical infrastructure must be protected. The warring parties must cease all attacks on critical infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, markets and essential services. Thirdly, humanitarian corridors must be guaranteed. The warring parties must establish and maintain safe humanitarian corridors for aid delivery in key regions, ensuring unhindered access. Concerning the international community, first, comprehensive humanitarian aid must be provided. We urge the United Nations, the African Union and other international entities to provide emergency food and medical supplies and ensure safe passage for vulnerable civilians, in particular women, children and people with disabilities. Secondly, refugee assistance funding must be supported. The international community must advocate for urgent funding to meet the budget needs of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Sudanese internally displaced persons and refugees. Thirdly, youth and women must be included. The international community must support formal representation of youth, especially women, in peace negotiations and political decision-making processes. Concerning the Security Council, first, pressure must be exerted for international law compliance. The Security Council must use diplomatic pressure to halt the use of indiscriminate weapons and enforce adherence to human rights and international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians. Secondly, accountability for war crimes must be ensured. The Security Council must support the independent international fact-finding mission for the Sudan in investigating crimes involving indiscriminate weapons and human rights violations to end impunity. Thirdly, human rights violators must be targeted. The Security Council must impose targeted sanctions and travel bans on individuals responsible for human rights abuses within the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. In conclusion, the ones who suffer most in this conflict are the millions seeking only freedom, peace and justice. The Sudan’s youth do not just seek intervention; we ask for empowerment, true partnership and the chance to rebuild what conflict and oppression have destroyed. We are not just victims; we are agents of change. We ask for the Security Council’s support, solidarity and commitment to ending violence and securing a peaceful, just Sudan. The Council’s actions today will shape the future of the region and our nations. The Sudan’s youth are ready. Now, we ask the Council to stand with us for a new dawn.

I thank Ms. Eltigani for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank the Secretary-General and Ms. Eltigani for briefing us today as we pass a harrowing milestone of 18 months of brutal conflict in the Sudan. I will make three points on behalf of the United Kingdom. First, we welcome the Secretary-General’s recommendations for the protection of civilians in the Sudan (S/2024/759). Both warring parties made commitments at Jeddah to limit the conflict’s impact on civilians. And yet, only this past weekend, we have had further appalling reports of major attacks in Gezira state, resulting in more than 100 civilian deaths, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) allegedly shooting at civilians indiscriminately, raping women and girls and looting and destroying homes. Meanwhile, aerial bombardments by the Sudanese Armed Forces are causing large-scale destruction and civilian deaths across the country. Alleviating the plight of Sudanese civilians is critical. We hope the Council can come together in the coming weeks to agree further steps supporting the implementation of the recommendations from the Secretary-General. Secondly, as we have heard today, the humanitarian crisis continues. With famine in Darfur and cholera spreading across the country, millions are at risk of an early, preventable death. And yet, bureaucratic obstructions continue. Expelling United Nations staff and restricting the movements of humanitarian missions are just a few damning examples of how life-saving assistance is being systematically blocked from reaching those in need. We urge the Sudanese authorities to permanently open the Adré border crossing. We reiterate our clear calls to both warring parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and facilitate cross-border and cross-line access across multiple entry points. Thirdly, we call on the warring parties to engage meaningfully with existing diplomatic initiatives, including the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Sudan, Mr. Lamamra, towards a national ceasefire. We also call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF to agree modalities for monitoring compliance with their commitments made under Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. Civil society and women’s participation are also vital for peace efforts to be fully effective. In conclusion, coordinated international action, including by the African Union and the United Nations, is more important now than ever before. The RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces must bring an end to the fighting now.

I thank the Secretary- General for his sobering briefing on the situation in the Sudan and especially for his most recent report on the protection of civilians in the country (S/2024/759). Now that it has been submitted to the Security Council, it is our responsibility to take action on the basis of his recommendations. I thank Ms. Eltigani for her briefing. Her voice is critical to enhancing our understanding of what is happening on the ground. I also welcome the presence of the representative of the Sudan in today’s meeting. Eighteen months have passed since the outbreak of violence in the Sudan. This year alone, the Security Council adopted two resolutions (resolution 2724 (2024) and resolution 2736 (2024)), calling for the cessation of hostilities, which, regrettably, have not been honoured. Those calls for a ceasefire have been repeated, not only by the United Nations, but also by regional and subregional organizations and individual Member States. The Secretary-General’s report was one of the most recent on the list. First and foremost, as the Secretary-General called for in his report, General Al-Burhan and General Dagalo must stop fighting immediately. The international community must strengthen its concerted diplomatic efforts to urge the parties to return to serious negotiations. Japan supports Mr. Lamamra’s good offices and his work to coordinate and complement international and regional efforts and those by Member States. Secondly, Japan remains gravely concerned about the prolonged anguish that the people of the Sudan are experiencing. During the high-level week, we heard the courageous testimonies by Sudanese women. Any form of sexual and gender-based violence is unacceptable. Japan is also concerned about the recent reports of escalating armed violence in Gezira state. The Sudan’s acute food insecurity is also alarming, and women and children are particularly affected. The use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare may constitute a war crime. The parties must allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian assistance to those in need across the Sudan, including cross- border and cross-line activities, as well as the security of all humanitarian personnel on the ground. Japan demands that the parties uphold their obligations under international law and calls particularly on the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to fully honour their commitments declared in Jeddah and after the proximity talks in Geneva and the talks facilitated by the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan group. In that vein, Japan welcomes the passage of hundreds of trucks through the Adré border crossing since August following the decision of the Government of the Sudan and calls on the Government to continue to allow the use of that crucial crossing point. Thirdly, Japan echoes the Secretary-General’s call for the flow of weapons and ammunition into the Sudan to cease immediately. Japan reminds all Member States that those who violate the arms embargo measures set out in the relevant Council resolutions may be designated for targeted measures. Last but not least, Japan stresses the importance of monitoring, reporting and collecting evidence and documenting violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The violators must be held accountable. In that regard, Japan supports the important work of the independent international fact- finding mission for the Sudan established by the Human Rights Council, as well as the work of the Panel of Experts of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005), concerning the Sudan; national, regional and international non-governmental organizations; journalists; and civil society organizations, among others. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the United Nations and its Member States will never forget the Sudan nor leave its people behind.

I have the honour to deliver this joint statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council, namely, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and my own country, Algeria, as well as Guyana (A3+). We wish to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing, through which he rightly reaffirmed the gravity of the situation in the Sudan. We also appreciate his tireless efforts through his Personal Envoy, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, to bring the parties to dialogue. We also thank Ms. Eltigani for her presentation, and we welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan in this meeting. It is difficult to find the accurate words to describe the appalling situation in the Sudan and to express our sentiment of inability to provide the Sudanese people with the right response on the ground while civilians continue to bear the shocking carnage in the Sudan. We therefore strongly condemn the continued violence committed against civilians. Several products were adopted by the Council, and several initiatives were initiated outside the Council to push for a peaceful solution. Unfortunately, they did not have the desired effect on the ground. The renewed clashes in Khartoum and El Fasher, particularly the attacks launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against that city, are a blatant example of the disregard demonstrated not only towards the Council, but also towards the international community. More than 18 months after the conflict began, we are yet to see a modicum of willingness from the parties to commit to a ceasefire and engage in a meaningful political process. The humanitarian situation remains dire with several outbreaks of disease, including cholera and malaria, in addition to the consequences of the recent floods on more than 100,000 people. The impact of the conflict is even more appalling on women, girls and children who are subjected to rape, abduction and mistreatment. While we observe women and peace and security month under the able Swiss presidency, we wish to pay tribute to all the Sudanese women who are showing unprecedented levels of resilience and courage. That must spur us to redouble our efforts to urgently relieve them of the abhorrent suffering they continue to endure. Civilians in the Sudan must be protected, and each life lost is one too many. We therefore welcome the report of the Secretary-General containing recommendations for the protection of civilians in the Sudan (S/2024/759). In that regard, we wish to underline the following. First, we must identify the basis for a durable solution. Convincing the parties to commit to a ceasefire must be our ultimate priority. That goal, however, must allow for contributions from all regional and international actors, driven by fairness, justice, goodwill and international law. Be it local or national, a ceasefire is imperative, and we are convinced that wisdom and restraint still have a place in the Sudan. Acknowledging that the primary responsibility to protect civilians lies with the Government of the Sudan and all parties to the conflict, our Council could contribute, in coordination with the relevant national stakeholders in the Sudan, by providing the necessary support to monitor any eventual ceasefire agreement and ensure that commitments are honoured and respected. Secondly, any endeavour for the protection of civilians must be conducted in line with accountability mechanisms to end impunity and to bring the perpetrators of atrocities, crimes and all types of violations to justice. We reiterate, in that regard, our call for a public and firm condemnation of foreign interference. Thirdly, the Sudanese parties will have to demonstrate greater commitment to respect for international humanitarian law and the principles of human rights. The announced unilateral commitments that have not been translated into concrete actions cannot be considered. We seize this opportunity to strongly condemn the horrific violations perpetrated by the RSF on Friday in the village of Al-Sireha, where at least 124 civilians were killed. The images that we have seen during the last two days are just appalling and represent another example of the absence of any notion of respect for international law or a code of conduct in the modus operandi of the perpetrators. We call on the parties to demonstrate some sense of responsibility by at least not fighting in residential areas so as to spare civilian and innocent lives. Lastly, coordination will have to be our keyword in any endeavour for the protection of civilians in the Sudan. Coordination is necessary at the international and regional levels among the multiple mediation mechanisms, while preserving the central role of the United Nations and the African Union and building on the Jeddah process. In that regard, we wish to express our support for the African Union Peace and Security Council’s Ad Hoc Presidential Committee, which, under the leadership of Uganda, is seeking to advance peace efforts in the Sudan. Coordination with the Sudanese Government is also important to facilitate humanitarian access and sustain the measures taken in that regard. At this juncture, we welcome the financial contributions to support the humanitarian response plan and call for the continuation of such commendable efforts. We call once again on the Sudanese parties to care about the future of the Sudanese people. We call once again on the Sudanese parties to put the interests and the unity of their nation above all other considerations.

I thank Secretary-General Guterres, who in April 2023 (see S/PV.9310) already warned us of the gravity of the situation, foreshadowing his concerns about the consequences that could lead to precisely what has become a nightmare. I thank Ms. Hanaa Eltigani for her statement and her invaluable testimony. I acknowledge the presence of the representative of the Sudan in the Chamber. The Secretary-General’s report on the protection of civilians in the Sudan (S/2024/759) attests to the grave situation that the population is confronting, which is why we welcome his recommendations. The continuing armed conflict in the Sudan has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, marked by massive attacks on the civilian population, including indiscriminate bombings affecting critical infrastructure, the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war and other forms of gender-based or ethnically based violence. Ecuador regards the grave violations against children, including killings, amputations and sexual violence, as particularly alarming. The protection of civilians in situations of conflict is an imperative, and entirely consistent with the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols and the requirements of resolution 1265 (1999). There are no exceptions to the principles of proportionality, distinction and precaution. The conflict has led to the largest internal displacement and food crisis in the world, disproportionately affecting women and children. The conflict has caused some 25 million people to suffer from acute hunger or to be receiving humanitarian aid, and it is alarming to hear that levels of famine have been confirmed in Zamzam camp. As a co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Action on Conflict and Hunger and in line with resolution 2417 (2018), Ecuador strenuously condemns the use of hunger as a method of warfare — conduct that is prohibited under international humanitarian law. The parties must guarantee humanitarian access and protect humanitarian personnel in compliance with resolution 2730 (2024) and ensure that food infrastructure is safeguarded. Moreover, despite statements to the contrary by the parties to the conflict, the report refers to an increase in human rights violations, including summary executions, abductions and enforced disappearances of civilians. That deplorable state of affairs underscores the need to break the cycle of violence and impunity and one of the bases for doing so is to ensure that perpetrators of atrocities against civilians are held accountable. Despite regional and international efforts, the warring factions’ lack of commitment has hampered progress towards peace in the Sudan. It is crucial to give strong backing to efforts by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to facilitate dialogue. We also support the endeavours of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, and other initiatives aimed at a democratic transition in the Sudan, ensuring a central and ongoing role for the United Nations and the African Union. It is crucial to bring an end to the illicit supply of arms to the warring parties, which is in violation of the arms embargo. The Council must take steps to bolster the sanctions regime and ensure that it is enforced. We reiterate that a ceasefire is the optimal and perhaps only way of protecting civilians and of moving towards a political solution to the conflict. Until then, it is crucial to continue supporting measures to mitigate the impact of the conflict by, for example, keeping the Adré crossing open, establishing safe humanitarian corridors and adhering to the binding resolutions of the Council, such as resolution 2736 (2024). In conclusion, I convey my delegation’s belief that silence or inaction on the part of Council will only prolong the suffering of the Sudanese people.

I would like to thank the Secretary-General and Ms. Eltigani for their briefings. For several months now, the assessment has remained unchanged: the situation in the Sudan is catastrophic and is continuing to deteriorate. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2024/759), published this month, again paints a dire picture: the fighting has led to the largest internal displacement crisis in the world, on top of which there is a food and a health crisis, also affecting neighbouring countries. Civilians, including women and children, continue to be targeted. In that respect, France strongly condemns recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces on civilians in Gezira. We must not resign ourselves to such a situation. As underscored in the Secretary-General’s report, local ceasefires must be ordered as a matter of urgency and without delay in the areas most affected by the conflict. Beyond that, as he also stresses in his report, a comprehensive ceasefire must be agreed and accompanied by an inclusive political process involving civil society, particularly Sudanese women and young people, and making it possible to address the root causes of the conflict. Only dialogue can lead to a solution for the Sudan. As we did at the Paris Conference last April and on the margins of the General Assembly high- level week, France will continue its efforts to support regional and international diplomatic initiatives aimed at facilitating such dialogue. In that respect, I would like to commend the work of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr. Lamamra. In view of the humanitarian emergency, there is an urgent need to implement a number of measures. First of all, as requested by resolution 2736 (2024), adopted on 13 June, it is imperative to lift the siege on El Fasher and cease fighting in the area. All parties to the conflict must ensure the protection of civilians and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law. The full, safe and unimpeded delivery of cross-border and cross-line humanitarian aid throughout the Sudan is necessary to help the Sudanese population. In that respect, France welcomes the Sudanese authorities’ decision to approve the conduct of cross-border humanitarian operations from Chad to Darfur via the city of Adré. That decision must be made permanent. France calls on all Member States to refrain from arming, financing or providing logistical support to parties to the conflict, in line with the commitments undertaken in the declaration of principles adopted at the Paris Conference in April. France welcomes the unanimous renewal of the arms embargo in Darfur last September and underscores that those who violate it are liable to sanctions, in accordance with resolution 1591 (2005). The Secretary-General’s report highlights the crucial issue of protecting civilians in the Sudan. France recalls that both parties have made commitments, contained in the Jeddah Declaration, that are not being respected. We call on the parties to comply with those commitments and to jointly establish a mechanism for verifying and monitoring their commitments that regional and international partners can support. Given the seriousness of the situation, we must do everything we can to support the Sudanese civilian population, using all the tools at our disposal, in conjunction with our regional partners, in particular the African Union.

I thank Secretary-General Guterres and Ms. Eltigani for their sobering briefings. For more than 18 months, the violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Sudan has pushed the country into a catastrophe. We are deeply appalled by the reported recent RSF attack on Gezira state, which represents a brutal turn in a conflict in which civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence. Malta strongly condemns all attacks on civilian populations and on humanitarian and medical personnel, as well as the intentional destruction of critical infrastructure, including hospitals and schools. That is unacceptable. Echoing the Secretary-General’s call, we urge the warring parties to immediately cease hostilities, to comply with their obligations under international law, to translate their commitments related to the protection of civilians into tangible actions and to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access. We also reiterate the importance of implementing resolution 2736 (2024). We urge all States to cease external interference and to strictly uphold the arms embargo, particularly in Darfur. There is no military solution to this conflict. It is unacceptable that famine has reached parts of the Sudan, particularly the Zamzam internally displaced persons camp. We deplore the deliberate use of starvation as a tactic of war, and we call for immediate, unimpeded access to essential supplies and food for Zamzam and all areas at risk of famine. While we are encouraged by the resumption of humanitarian assistance through the Adré crossing, humanitarian access remains heavily constrained despite commitments by the parties. The parties to the conflict must ensure rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access through all necessary cross-border and cross-line routes. As stated by the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, an alarming rise in ethnically motivated attacks and identity-based violence warns us of a growing risk of genocide and other atrocity crimes in the Sudan. We stress the urgency of immediate and targeted actions to prevent further ethnically motivated violence and to address hate speech and incitement. Malta condemns in the strongest terms the use of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls. The ethnically motivated use of sexual violence and the trafficking of women and girls for the purposes of sexual exploitation are deplorable and must stop. The parties must take immediate measures to halt and prevent the occurrence of those horrific crimes. They must also provide survivors with the necessary protection, services and access to justice. In that context, we recognize the important work carried out by the independent international fact-finding mission for the Sudan. We continue to support the work of the International Criminal Court in relation to Darfur and the sanctions regime relating to the situation in Darfur, in accordance with resolution 1591 (2005). Children in the Sudan are continuously at risk of recruitment, use by armed actors in hostilities and abductions. More than 1,500 grave violations committed against children were verified between January and September 2024. Approximately 19 million children are currently out of school. Five million children under the age of 5 are acutely malnourished, and 53 per cent of the Sudan’s internally displaced are children. Those figures alone should be enough to prompt us, as the Council, to take urgent action. All grave violations against children must stop, recruitment must stop, their use in hostilities must stop and abductions must stop. We call for the urgent release of all children associated with the warring parties and the reintegration of those children through civilian protection actors. The unprecedented number of populations displaced within the country and seeking refuge beyond the Sudan’s borders has put the entire neighbouring region under tremendous strain. We call for sustained support from the international community to address those urgent needs. We welcome the diplomatic efforts spearheaded by Personal Envoy Lamamra, alongside the critical work of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States and other international partners, such as the Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan Group. We call for those mediation efforts to be coordinated, while maintaining momentum to resolve the conflict and to create the conditions for an inclusive peace process. The European Union remains a trusted partner in supporting civilian engagement. Sudanese civil society, particularly women- and youth-led organizations, such as the Youth Citizens Observers Network, are pivotal in advancing peace and addressing civilian protection needs. They require the support of the international community. In conclusion, the only way to ensure peace and stability in the Sudan is for the parties to heed the Council’s call for an immediate ceasefire. The people of the Sudan have suffered for far too long, and they deserve a future that reflects their true aspirations. The recent recommendations by the Secretary-General underscore the need for a unified Security Council response. There is no time to lose; decisive and immediate action is essential to prevent further loss of life.

I thank the Secretary- General for his briefing and for his steadfast efforts to bring peace to the Sudan. I also thank Ms. Hanaa Eltigani for her briefing and for her recommendations today. We have three messages today. They pertain to the cessation of hostilities, the coordination of peace efforts and the protection of civilians and humanitarian access. The reports from the Sudan keep telling of continued and unimaginable suffering. A cessation of hostilities remains the priority. The warring parties must confront the undeniable truth that there is no military solution to this conflict. We call on both sides to cease all hostilities and return to negotiations and to do so in good faith. Continued external support, especially through the provision of arms, worsens the suffering and prolongs the devastation. The weapons entering Sudan are not fostering peace — they are fuelling war. The escalation of conflict and fighting is not a road to peace. That must stop. The recently renewed United Nations arms embargo, adopted unanimously by the Council, must be respected, strictly monitored and enforced. Secondly, we welcome and support the continued engagement of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Lamamra, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and all other international partners and urge both parties to engage in the peace process. We firmly support the initiatives aimed at bringing peace to the Sudanese people. There is, however, an urgent need for coordinated efforts. We need a truly global response with a single goal: sustainable peace. Thirdly, at the heart of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis is the disproportionate suffering of civilians, especially women and children. Both parties have pledged to protect civilians, and both have utterly failed. As a result, for more than 18 months now, civilians in the Sudan have been enduring unimaginable hardship. We express our strong concern about the latest escalation in the Gezira state and condemn the reported brutal attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) across several villages, resulting in devastating loss of life. That must stop. The ongoing siege of El Fasher by RSF must cease. Indiscriminate artillery shelling by the RSF must stop. Indiscriminate aerial bombing by the Sudanese Armed Forces must stop. Attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure, including shelters for internally displaced persons, as called for today by Ms. Eltigani, must end immediately. Systematic conflict-related sexual violence, especially against women and girls, being used as tactic of war must end. Those responsible for those atrocities must be held accountable. Accountability is non-negotiable; impunity must end. We remind the warring parties of their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as their commitments in the Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians. We also urge compliance with resolution 2417 (2018) on hunger and conflict, emphasizing that starvation as a method of warfare is prohibited by international law. The people of Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum and many other places in the Sudan are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. It is unacceptable and unlawful for that assistance to be blocked, delayed, restricted or looted. Humanitarian workers and supplies must have safe, unhindered and sustained access. That requires opening all available routes  — by land, air and sea  — and removing bureaucratic restrictions for the humanitarian assistance to reach those in need. We call on the responsible authorities in the Sudan to facilitate new and maintain existing cross-border and cross-line access, including through the Adré crossing, to ensure sustained humanitarian relief. In conclusion, as I prepared for today’s discussion, I kept thinking about Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s call to the Security Council in our discussions on leadership for peace: “The time for excuses is past, and with great respect, we ask those leaders to act and not to let us down.” (S/PV.9732, p. 5-6) Listening to the briefers, her words today resonate even louder. We thank the Secretary-General for his recommendations on civilian protection, and we echo his call for the Security Council to take decisive action to address the crisis. Slovenia stands ready to do so.

I would like to express my appreciation to the Secretary-General and Ms. Eltigani for their sobering briefings today. I also welcome the presence of the representative of the Sudan. We are deeply troubled by the continuing violence against civilians across the Sudan, including the recent violence by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Gezira. As highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/759), the time for decisive action by the Security Council is now. While the Sudanese warring parties bear the primary responsibility for that senseless conflict, the Security Council must also assume its enhanced responsibilities and explore all measures at its disposal to address that horrible situation. In that regard, I would like to make four points. First, the Security Council must stand united in support of all diplomatic efforts to secure an immediate cessation of hostilities. As highlighted in the Secretary- General’s report, an immediate ceasefire would be the most direct and effective way of improving the protection of civilians in the Sudan. We remain committed to supporting the efforts of the Secretary- General’s Personal Envoy for the Sudan, Mr. Lamamra, in close coordination with the ongoing mediation and good offices of the African Union (AU), including the AU Peace and Security Council Ad Hoc Presidential Committee and the AU High-level Implementation Panel on the Sudan. The establishment of a robust and transparent compliance mechanism to implement the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan is critical to those efforts. We urge the parties to the conflict to agree on a clear road map and modalities for that mechanism and to include the important role of local actors and women’s groups in the process. Secondly, we call on all Member States to refrain from any external interference that exacerbates the conflict and instead support efforts to find a solution for a durable peace. Despite repeated calls by the Council, reports indicate an alarming increase in the number of foreign actors facilitating the flow of weapons to warring parties. It is imperative that the Security Council take further steps to address the flagrant violations of the arms embargo, including by strengthening monitoring mechanisms and updating sanctions lists as necessary. Thirdly, the Security Council should support strengthening the monitoring and reporting of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law committed by all parties. Credible reports, including from the Panel of Experts, point to those abhorrent violations, including ethnically targeted attacks and widespread sexual and gender-based violence. We underscore the importance of monitoring and reporting mechanisms, particularly without the presence of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan. In that regard, we welcome the extension of the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission for the Sudan and urge all parties to cooperate fully with its work. Fourthly, the Security Council should be united in urging all parties to take further steps to ensure that life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches areas most in need. We are deeply concerned about reports of systematic obstruction of aid operations and the imposition of unnecessary administrative restrictions. We call on all parties to open all possible cross-border and cross-line routes, including the lifting of all arbitrary constraints and time limits at the Adré border crossing. In addition, the Sudanese authorities must fully recognize the dire humanitarian conditions on the ground, including the presence of famine in some areas, and ensure that they cooperate fully with humanitarian actors on the ground. In conclusion, we sincerely hope for an immediate end to the conflict and for an inclusive, civilian- led political process to realize the aspirations of the Sudanese people. We remain committed to engaging constructively in the efforts of the Security Council and the wider international community to achieve those goals.

I thank Secretary-General Guterres for his briefing. I have also listened to the statement by the representative of civil society. I welcome the presence of the representative of the Sudan at today’s meeting. The conflict in the Sudan has been going on for more than 18 months, which has led to significant casualties, the destruction of infrastructure and unprecedented displacement. This is both harrowing and concerning. Recently, a new round of hostilities between the parties to the conflict erupted in Khartoum, Gezira, Darfur and other areas, with a clear increase in the intensity of the fighting, making the humanitarian situation even more serious. I would like to make the following points. First, greater efforts should be made to promote a ceasefire. As the conflict rages in the Sudan, civilians bear the brunt. China has taken note of the report by the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in the Sudan (S/2024/759). As the report points out, the most effective way to protect civilians is to put an end to the conflict. China believes that the relevant Council resolutions on a ceasefire should be implemented, the commitments by the parties to the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan should be fully honoured, the situation on the ground should be defused and de-escalated as soon as possible, and the spread of the conflict should be avoided by all means. We call on the parties to the conflict to put the interests of the country and the people first, pursue a political settlement rather than a military confrontation, return to dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible and realize a ceasefire as soon as possible. The Council has a special responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and should play a more active role in promoting a ceasefire. Secondly, we must step up efforts to promote good offices and mediation. China has always believed that no matter how significant the differences and disputes are between parties, the door to dialogue must not be closed. We encourage countries with influence on both parties to the conflict to play their due role, support Personal Envoy Lamamra’s ongoing efforts to communicate and coordinate closely with all parties, and support solving African issues in an African way. We welcome enhanced consultation and cooperation between the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the League of Arab States, on the one hand, and the Sudanese Government, on the other, and call on the international community to promote synergy in mediation. It should be emphasized that in the process of resolving the Sudanese issue, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the country must be effectively respected. Thirdly, we need to step up efforts to provide humanitarian assistance. Currently, the Sudan’s humanitarian funding is woefully insufficient, and the inflow of aid is a drop in the ocean compared to the actual needs on the ground. We call on the international community, especially traditional investors, to honour their funding commitments as soon as possible. China welcomes the recent announcement by the Sudanese Government to increase delivery routes for humanitarian aid and encourages the United Nations to strengthen cooperation with the Sudanese Government to promote humanitarian access so as to ensure that the aid reaches the Sudanese people in need. It should be emphasized that humanitarian operations should focus on helping people in dire situations in order to save lives and must not be politicized or instrumentalized in pursuit of selfish political interests. In the long term, we should also increase our support for the Sudan in agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and other areas, and help the Sudan enhance its capacity-building in food security, epidemic prevention and disaster reduction so as to effectively safeguard people’s livelihood and well-being. Since the outbreak of the conflict, China has provided the Sudan with multiple batches of food and medical supplies and recently launched, in cooperation with the United Nations, a poverty alleviation and agricultural assistance project that is expected to benefit 400,000 people. China stands ready to continue to do its utmost to help the Sudan ease the humanitarian situation and play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the country.

We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his briefing. We listened carefully to the civil society representative, Ms. Hanaa Eltigani. We welcome the participation in this meeting of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan. The Russian Federation has consistently supported efforts aimed at a lasting settlement of the Sudanese conflict. We stand convinced that there is no military solution and that all disagreements should be resolved through dialogue between the leading Sudanese actors. Due to the protracted armed conflict, economic and social problems in the country are mounting, and they are placing an intolerable burden on the Sudanese Government, as well as on neighbouring States. The number of internally displaced persons is nearing 10 million, and the number of refugees runs into the millions. The situation is further aggravated by recorded cases of ethnically motivated violence. Since the very start of the conflict, diplomatic facilities of many countries, which used to be based in Khartoum, have been hard hit. The Russian Federation resolutely condemns any attacks on diplomatic and consular premises and attempts to undermine their inviolability, in violation of the foundational principles regarding the inviolability of diplomatic premises, pursuant to the relevant Vienna Conventions of 1961 and 1963. International efforts to launch an inter-Sudanese peace process have stalled. Under such circumstances, the parties to the conflict are betting on the use of force as a method for resolving existing contradictions. We note the recent change in the configuration of the warring parties, as a number of groups have switched their support to the Sudanese Armed Forces. Those groups, along with their civilians supporters, are now being subjected to brutal punishment by the Rapid Support Forces. Those events could result in the epicentre of the fight shifting to Darfur. At this stage, the priority is the immediate cessation of hostilities. As soon as the acute phase of this fratricidal conflict is over, intra-Sudanese dialogue must be immediately resumed. In order to make it inclusive, it is important to involve in this process all influential political forces and the country’s main ethnic and religious groups, including reputable regional leaders. We see an important role for Sudanese women, specifically at that stage. Following that dialogue, the configuration of the future State authorities should factor in the causes of the crisis in a manner that is acceptable to all. Any destructive external interference in the domestic affairs of the friendly Sudan is unacceptable. We are convinced that the Sudanese people can and should settle their internal problems on their own. Any initiatives to restore peace in the country without the participation of Port Sudan are doomed to fail. The Russian Federation regards the Sudanese Sovereign Council as the highest-ranking legitimate State authority of the country. We champion the unity, the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the Sudan. We support the efforts of the Secretary- General’s Personal Envoy for the Sudan to promote the peace process in accordance with the instructions of the Secretary-General. We also note the steps taken by the African Union and other countries of the region. We call on them to undertake additional active work with all stakeholders. The humanitarian situation in the Sudan remains challenging. A significant number of medical facilities are not operational, there is a shortage of medicine, and people do not have full access to healthcare. Another major challenge is the underfunded humanitarian response plan. At the same time, the Sudanese Government has taken proactive steps to facilitate humanitarian access to the country, and those efforts are already bearing fruit. With support from the World Food Programme and other agencies, a significant amount of aid has been delivered to those in need in Darfur, including to areas where famine was reported. The Russian Federation welcomes the steps taken by the Sudanese leadership to expand humanitarian access, including the temporary opening of the Adré border crossing. At the same time, we note that Port Sudan has opened over 10 sites for the delivery of humanitarian supplies. Most recently, on 18 October, it was announced that the airports of Kadugli in South Kordofan state, Dongola in Northern state and El Obeid in North Kordofan state would be used for that purpose. They should be used as much as possible in order to ensure that aid reaches all regions of the country. Moreover, the Sudanese authorities have come up with concrete proposals for humanitarian workers to address all of the Government’s concerns regarding checks on consignments arriving at the Adré border crossing. Recently, Gibril Ibrahim, the country’s Minister of Finance, announced measures to help ensure the continued operation of the corridor. At the same time, we are convinced that the decision to extend to next month the operation of the Adré border crossing for further consignments is up to the Sudanese Government. This is part and parcel of the Sudan’s sovereignty, which, we are certain, none of the Council members question. We therefore believe that it is inappropriate to exert pressure on the Sudanese side with regard to the 15 November expiration of permission to use the Adré border crossing. We must find a mutually acceptable solution here. We are categorically opposed to the politicization of humanitarian assistance, whether that be in the Sudan or anywhere else. We believe that any humanitarian assistance should be conducted and delivered solely in coordination with the central authorities of the country. They also have the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of their population. We carefully read the report by the Secretary- General on the protection of civilians in the Sudan (S/2024/759). We cannot say that we share all the assessments and recommendations it contains. Yet, the main issue is not what they look like on paper, but rather how they can be implemented on the ground, especially in the absence of a lasting ceasefire. As the report rightly points out, a ceasefire is the decisive factor in ensuring reliable protection of civilians. Taking steps to pre-empt that necessary precondition can result in the opposite of the desired outcome. Moreover, it is not entirely clear what is meant by local ceasefires. How are they going to be reached and, more importantly, how are they going to be monitored? Lastly, we believe it is important to step up efforts to implement agreements reached in Jeddah in May 2023. We are pleased that this issue was duly reflected in the aforementioned report. In conclusion, I would like to note that it is not only the warring parties that must place the interests of the Sudanese people above all else, but it is also the countries of the region that need to rise above their disagreements and come up with a consolidated position to end the conflict as soon as possible. We also expect the Security Council to take a balanced and responsible approach that will take into account both the current developments of the Sudanese conflict and the complexity of the historical context in that country. That will also help bolster the effectiveness of the assistance provided by the United Nations and strengthen trust in the Organization.

I thank the Secretary-General for his briefing. We appreciate the efforts being made by Personal Envoy Lamamra on his behalf. I also wish to thank Ms. Eltigani for her briefing and her recommendations. I welcome the participation of Ambassador Mohamed, the Sudan’s Permanent Representative. And I hope that he conveys the concerns he has heard expressed today to his Government, as I hope other parties engaged in this horrific war also take note. I look forward to his response. Just last week, the Sudan marked the sixtieth anniversary of the October Revolution. On 21 October 1964, tens of thousands of students and teachers, lawyers and doctors took to the streets, demanding an end to dictatorial rule and the birth of a democratic Sudan. Their nonviolent movement ushered in a constitutional Government and the revival of fundamental freedoms. And it provided a glimmer of hope for the country that perhaps the era of militarism and malfeasance, death and destruction was over. We saw those glimmers again in 2019, when a broad and diverse cross section of Sudanese people once again rose up peacefully to end the brutal 30-year rule of Omar Al-Bashir. This was — this is — a country, a people, brimming with potential, rich in resources and land and knowledge. And yet, October 2024 saw not a celebration of democratic rule, but the single largest movement of refugees from the Sudan into Chad in nearly a year. We commend Chad for welcoming the refugees. They were fleeing nothing less than death itself  — death by bullets or death by shelling, death by disease or death by hunger, death of hope and death of ambition. Ms. Eltigani’s briefing starkly described the dire situation. And this catastrophe somehow only continues to worsen, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and other armed groups violently attack civilians across the country, while depriving them of the life-saving assistance they so desperately need. Nowhere is the crisis more acute than in Darfur, where reporting indicates an alarming rise in ethnically motivated killings and atrocities by the RSF. The gravity of the humanitarian and security situation demands bold and decisive action. Therefore, together with partners, the United States has three primary calls to action in response to the crisis in the Sudan. First, as millions face famine and acute hunger, the international community must help get life-saving assistance to areas in dire need, such as El Fasher, Sennar, Dilling, Kadugli and Khartoum. We have seen the data and heard the stories of children dying every hour in internally displaced person camps, of parents staving off hunger pangs by eating leaves. That is not just a matter of insufficient funding. Millions are going hungry because of access. We are particularly alarmed that instead of facilitating aid, the authorities in Port Sudan continue to undermine, intimidate and target humanitarian officials. The ongoing obstruction of the humanitarian response in Darfur and other RSF-held areas should not be tolerated by this organ or the broader international community. Rather than wield humanitarian assistance as a political tool, Sudanese authorities need to expand and streamline the movement of humanitarian personnel and goods, including by allowing notification-only movement. They also need to extend the authorization for the Adré border crossing, open additional cross-border and cross-line access routes and facilitate airport access for humanitarian purposes. Secondly, we need to do more to protect civilians, as noted by the Secretary-General. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report and recommendations on this matter. We support the recommendation to establish a compliance mechanism to ensure Jeddah commitments to protect civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law are being implemented on the ground. And we strongly support further discussion and action from the Security Council regarding options and next steps. To that end, the international community should, in close collaboration with African partners, begin considering options to establish a compliance and monitoring mission, one that could strengthen the protection of civilians and support the implementation and durability of any future local or nationwide cessation of hostilities. Finally, and in keeping with the clear aspirations of the Sudanese people, the international community must actively support a transition to inclusive and democratic civilian governance. Let me be clear: the current path of the belligerents in this conflict is unacceptable. The SAF’s refusal to participate in a political process, the failure by both sides to adhere to international law obligations, it cannot and should not continue. And the Council has a responsibility to deploy the tools at its disposal to impose a cost to those who undermine the path of peace. The people of the Sudan deserve safety, dignity and justice. They deserve the future they fought for in 1964 and in 2019. And so, we must all give more and do more to pressure the belligerents and their external backers to end the violence, protect civilians and let life-saving aid flow to ensure accountability for those who have committed atrocities and other abuses and to put the Sudan back on the path to democracy, freedom and hope.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Switzerland. I would like to thank Secretary-General Guterres for his presentation today. His presence shows the importance of leadership at the highest level in order to finally put an end to this conflict, the catastrophic scale of which surpasses all understanding and requires our full attention. Our thanks also go to Ms. Eltigani for sharing her personal account and testimony of the horrors of the conflict. Yet we also heard her clear message of hope for a better future. That must be the focus of our efforts here in the Council. I would like to emphasize the heavy toll the conflict is taking on civilians throughout the Sudan. It is getting worse with the escalation of fighting in El Fasher and more recently in Khartoum, Sennar and Gezira. That is unacceptable and serves to underline the urgent need to prioritize protection and prevention measures, even in the midst of ongoing hostilities. In the light of the Secretary-General’s recommendations in that regard, I would like to reiterate five points. First of all, there must be an immediate cessation of hostilities, which the Council has repeatedly called for. That is clearly the most effective way — and indeed the only way — of ensuring the full and lasting protection of civilians. We therefore call on the parties to the conflict to return to the negotiating table without delay. As complementary measures, localized ceasefires or humanitarian pauses are concrete actions to offer respite to civilians. Secondly, there is an urgent need to finally respect international humanitarian law and human rights, as well as the commitments made by the parties themselves, in particular the Jeddah Declaration. Protecting civilians is not an option but an obligation. We condemn the reported atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces against civilians in Gezira in recent days, which are deeply disturbing. The establishment by the parties of a compliance mechanism to monitor the fulfilment of those obligations would be a major step forward. Local organizations play an important role in the protection of civilians and in the humanitarian response and must be protected, as reaffirmed in resolution 2730 (2024). Thirdly, and just as urgently, the humanitarian situation must be improved. Eighteen months of conflict have created the world’s worst food crisis and the first confirmation of famine for seven years, while thousands of people continue to go hungry in silence. We reiterate our call on all parties to ensure rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained access across borders and front lines. Aid must reach those in need. All obstacles and obstructions must be removed. We call for all supply routes, including Adré, to be opened indefinitely. At the same time, humanitarian contributions must increase. Since the beginning of the conflict, Switzerland has provided more than $100 million to its partners in the Sudan and the region, and we will continue to do so. Fourthly, we must finally ensure accountability, which has been largely absent for the past 20 years. Without it, peace will remain out of reach. The appalling accounts of sexual and gender-based violence and ethnic violence, while the risks of genocide continue to be highlighted, call for action. Alongside the International Criminal Court, the fact-finding mission, with its new mandate, is essential in the fight against impunity. Finally, we must address the systematic violations of the binding resolutions of the Council, including the arms embargo. We reiterate our call on the parties and Member States to ensure the full implementation of those resolutions. At our recent annual exchange with the African Union Peace and Security Council here in New York, our two councils stressed that there is no military solution to this conflict. We must intensify our diplomatic efforts, including facilitating an inclusive political process. In that context, we express our strong support for the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to complement and coordinate those efforts. I would like to return to the very clear calls from many Sudanese men and women, reiterated today by Ms. Eltigani, to act without delay. In resolution 2736 (2024), the Council asked the Secretary-General to formulate recommendations, which have been submitted to us. They must now be implemented. I resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

At the outset, I congratulate you, Madam President, on wisely assuming the presidency of the Security Council during this month. We are ready to work with you on issues of common interest pertaining to the Sudan, and I thank you for the meeting held on Friday, which was constructive. I also thank the Secretary-General, António Gutierrez, for his briefing and his efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the Sudan. We listened to the briefing by Ms. Hanaa Eltigani, Assistant Secretary-General, and we thank her for her balanced briefing. The Government of the Sudan is cooperating with the bodies that were referred to in her briefing. I also thank the representative of Algeria, who delivered a statement on behalf of the three African members of the Council plus Guyana. And I thank the representatives of Russia and China for supporting the Sudan’s sovereignty. I also thank Mrs. Thomas- Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the United States, for her concern about democracy. I would like to reassure her that democracy has been a joint undertaking throughout the Sudan’s history. Civilian and military components, as well as youth, have been contributing to the democratic path, so there is nothing to worry about democracy in the Sudan. The concept of protection entails improving response to reduce subjecting civilians to violence, oppression and arbitrariness and entails respect for human rights in conflicts. The militia of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), their political allies and regional backers that are providing them with arms are perpetrating atrocities and killing civilians. We have presented testimonies by foreigners about civilians seeking shelter in the areas where armed forces are present, even fighting with them to defend themselves and the right of life, including the joint forces in Darfur. The concept of protection also entails providing humanitarian relief, which is being obstructed and looted by the militia. Therefore, our response to the statement by the Secretary-General will be confined to the elements related to the protection of civilians. That includes commitment and political inclusivity, promoting the legal ability to ensure accountability and fight impunity, supporting peace operations, respecting international humanitarian law in military operations, strengthening the State’s ability, facilitating humanitarian work and providing shelter to those in need of protection. The correct narrative is as follows. The borders are being opened to an aggressive militia supported by external actors to receive arms, supplies and equipment to fuel the war and to perpetrate atrocities in the Sudan. Stopping the war hinges on preventing mercenaries and auxiliary militia from coming from the Sahel countries and on stopping arms shipments coming from the evil regional sponsor. There is aggression on the Sudan, supported by regional and international actors. Any other explanation about what is happening in the Sudan will lead to an impasse and delay ending the war. The armed forces are fighting mercenaries that are systematically destroying the State, its institutions and the infrastructure. It is a family militia that aim to establish a tribal State and rely on foreign cross-border mercenaries. That project has been opposed by most tribes throughout the Sudan. Last week, heavily armed RSF rebel militia attacked cities and towns east of Gezira: Tamboul, Rufaa, Boutana and Azraq, along with dozens of villages that have no military presence. That militia used excessive military force and heavy destructive weapons against defenceless civilians who were not engaged in hostilities. The militia pursued a deliberate, revengeful and brutal approach. The national Human Rights Commission documented attacks by the RSF rebel militia on houses and civilian objects. They looted property and money, assassinated and executed more than 250 civilians and injured hundreds. They perpetrated sexual violence and rape against those whom they abducted. They also targeted women and girls, and hundreds of civilians were forcibly disappeared, including women and children. Thousands of people were forcibly displaced from their villages and houses, and civilians were subjected to the worst forms of torture. Regarding humanitarian aid, the Government of the Sudan has been committed to facilitating the delivery of aid to civilians affected by the war throughout the Sudan, including areas where the RSF militia are present, as part of the declared State policy on humanitarian action. The Transitional Sovereign Council decided to open the Adré border crossing with Chad on 15 August for three months, in line with resolution 2736 (2024) and in accordance with the law regulating voluntary and humanitarian work of 2006, the law on humanitarian aid procedures of 2016 and the national policy on refugees of 2009, as well as the United Nations guidelines on displacement of 1998. The Government of the Sudan has adopted several operational measures to facilitate access to humanitarian assistance while ensuring full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Sudan in accordance with General Assembly resolution 46/182 of 1991. Humanitarian aid should not be used for economic, political or military purposes. Persons engaged in humanitarian assistance, their transports and supplies must not be targeted. They must be protected in accordance with principle 26 of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. Assistance must be provided without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, political affiliation or religious beliefs, in accordance with article 5 of the voluntary and Humanitarian Work Act of 2006. Refugees and host communities must not be harmed when delivering assistance, and the Federal Humanitarian Aid Commission and other Government bodies must be represented when assistance is delivered. With regard to border crossings and airports, the Government of the Sudan has opened 10 border crossings and seven airports to facilitate the transportation and delivery of humanitarian relief to those in need. As for the Adré crossing, after opening it temporarily for three months, we have noticed the following. Humanitarian assistance is being delivered through that crossing without its provider, the quantities of goods being delivered and who is receiving the assistance at its final destination being known. The Federal Humanitarian Aid Commission asked the United Nations to establish a joint mechanism with the Sudan and the State of Chad to monitor the assistance that was being brought in without knowing what type of aid it was and how it was being distributed. The Government stopped monitoring electronic gates and facilitating the entry of assistance by filling out very short forms, but humanitarian organizations wanted to enter and exit without any Government oversight or national supervisory measures. Some United Nations staff have been involved in irregularities, the details of which were brought to the attention of the Regional Coordinator. There is reluctance on the part of the United Nations to deliver assistance intended for South Kordofan. Most of the citizens in Darfur are either residing in other safe states or are refugees in neighbouring countries. The refugee situation in Chad is worsening. Refugees there are not receiving aid, and it is not clear why. Aid trucks entering El Geneina are guarded by the militia. Thirty trucks passed through the Adré crossing loaded with advanced weapons, anti-aircraft artillery and ammunition which led to a recent escalation in El Fasher and other places. The Sudan has shown great flexibility with regard to the operational regulations pertaining to the Adré border crossing in the context of receiving notifications about aid deliveries or providing reference reports at the end of each phase. The United Nations must liaise with the federal Humanitarian Aid Commission to review the situation every three months and address the associated security risks. Thousands of mercenaries from Africa and the Sahel were noticed entering through the Adré crossing to the Habila and For Baranga areas of Darfur. It is necessary to lay the foundations for transporting aid through that crossing which is a threat to national security. Since 15 April 2023, the Government of the Sudan has been working with the humanitarian organizations listed on the federal and state registry of the federal Humanitarian Aid Commission, which includes 19,000 organizations, of which 3,200 are national organizations and 120 are foreign organizations. It includes 81 active organizations from 19 countries and 13 United Nations agencies working in the humanitarian field. The gap between humanitarian assistance and humanitarian needs has reached 82 per cent. There are nearly 16 million people who are no longer covered by multisectoral humanitarian assistance. The Rapid Support Forces militia has forcibly displaced about 6 million civilians, 78 per cent of whom are from vulnerable groups, such as women and children. The Government of the Sudan’s efforts to facilitate the relief assistance have included the following measures. The validity of registration licenses of humanitarian organizations operating in the Sudan has been extended. The fees for renewing licenses between April 2023 and June 2024 have been waived. Humanitarian goods are not subjected to the requirements contained in the technical agreement. The Government of the Sudan is also bearing the costs of moving humanitarian aid from friendly countries to all states of the Sudan, which had amounted to $1 million as of September. The Government of the Sudan has increased the number of land, air, sea and river border crossings from 2 to 10. It is providing free warehouses for the goods of some humanitarian organizations operating in states and in the centre of the country. Bureaucratically and contrary to the claims by the United Nations and other aligned agencies, the Government of the Sudan had taken more than 16,700 administrative and technical measures to facilitate humanitarian access at both the state and federal levels, as of September. That included issuing visas, tax and customs exemptions; issuing permits for the relocation humanitarian workers and for the delivery of humanitarian assistance; renewing the registration of humanitarian organizations and facilitating the opening of their bank accounts, all with an implementation rate of 98 per cent. With regard to the topic of visas about which there are many misconceptions, during the month of September, the federal Humanitarian Aid Commission granted 105 entry visas to the staff of a number of foreign voluntary organizations. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs granted 42 visas for employees of United Nations agencies and international organizations, and the federal Humanitarian Aid Commission granted 134 permits to a number of voluntary organizations allowing them to reach various Sudanese states, including the Italian organization EMERGENCY, Global Child Care, the International Rescue Committee, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Eurasia, the Swiss Doctors without Borders, the Belgian Doctors without Borders, the French Solidarités International, the Spanish Doctors without Borders, in addition to the World Health Organization, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Food Programme, UNICEF, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the United Nations Office for Project Services. From 7 to 20 October, the federal Humanitarian Aid Commission granted 174 visas to international organizations and United Nations agencies. Only 38 visas are still pending. There have been 221 internal relocation permits issued, and only two are pending. With regard to the facilitation of procedures for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, out of the 11,900 requests received by the Government of the Sudan for licenses and permits for agencies and organizations, 11,749 were approved. The approval rate is therefore 99.6 per cent. We approved all requests for food trucks and other trucks, amounting to 1,928. We also approved all 1,027 requests for delivery of humanitarian assistance through the Tiné and Adré border crossings destined for Darfur states. Of the 2,452 visas requested, 2,193 were approved, which is an approval rate of 90 per cent. As for the Sudan’s cooperation with the Secretary- General with a view to achieving peace, the Sudan has constructively engaged with the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Lamamra, by participating in proximity talks in Geneva. The Sudan reiterated its commitment to cooperate and coordinate to increase the humanitarian assistance provided. The Sudan is also committed to the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, under the auspices of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States. We signed the commitments related to humanitarian work, respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and civilian objects, and we remain committed to them. There has been cooperation between the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and the Secretary-General. The Chairman responded to the Secretary-General’s request and agreed to a three-day truce. He also had several phone calls with the Secretary-General and is cooperating with his Personal Envoy in preventive diplomacy, mediation and good offices efforts. I note that the armed forces cooperated with the Under-Secretary-General on the monitoring and reporting mechanism in the context of children and armed conflict. We notified the Secretary-General of the regulations followed in military operations, but the Sudan did not receive any United Nations support regarding the Government’s rehabilitative role. We are committed to the rules of engagement and protecting civilians. We signed four memorandums of understanding with the ICRC to that effect, and we adopted the principles of proportionality, distinction and precaution so as to protect civilians from war- related repercussions. We did not use heavy weapons and did not target militia in residential areas or in public or private facilities. We also refrained from recruiting children. The ICRC commended the armed forces for releasing 30 children fighting alongside the militia, in keeping with the Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Through their official spokesperson and website, the armed forces have issued regular announcements warning civilians to not be close to battlefields and military sites. We have done that consistently since 11 May 2023. The armed forces observed a short truce, in response to the Secretary-General’s request on 20 May 2023, and the truce was extended to 29 May in order to evacuate the injured and to open safe corridors for civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid, in line with what was agreed upon in Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. Although Rapid Support Forces snipers are present on the roofs of buildings, the army is committed to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Some political groups allied to the Rapid Support Forces are claiming that the army has committed violations in areas south-east of Khartoum. However, that is not true, as no intelligence service or army has been to those areas, which are under the control of the Rapid Support Forces, since 17 April 2023. I turn now to human rights. With regard to the international verification mechanisms of the Human Rights Council contained in resolution 54/2, we would like to clarify the following. The delegation of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a report in July 2024 about the delegation’s visit to the border between the Sudan and Ethiopia from 5 to 23 July 2023. The report therefore did not include any atrocities committed by the militia after it reached the states and various cities. The October 2024 decision, in Geneva, to renew the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan did not confirm the principle of complementarity, as the national committee tasked with investigating war crimes, headed by the Attorney General, should be the legal jurisdiction seized of this matter. The Human Rights Council should support it. The national committee provided three briefings and two reports to the Human Rights Council taking into account all comments, recommendations or advice from the Council or the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The introduced draft resolution ignored all of that and used language that calls into question the national judicial track that the Security Council seeks to enhance. The draft resolution also equates the armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces rebel militia. The armed forces are fighting a war of aggression, countering a multilateral attack and exercising the right to self-defence, pursuant to Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. The International Criminal Court is looking into war crimes in Darfur and is cooperating with the Government of the Sudan. Are there higher judicial authorities? There are four human rights mechanisms in the Sudan. The first is the country office of the OHCHR and its branches in five states. The second is the expert on the Sudan from the Human Rights Council, who visited the Sudan in July. The third is the Panel of Experts on the Sudan established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005), which includes one expert on human rights and humanitarian matters. The fourth is the Fact-Finding Mission, which, with all due respect, has been used politically to criminalize the Sudan and the armed forces, rather than being a tool to find facts, gather evidence, ensure justice and redress those affected. With regard to ceasing escalation and promoting peacebuilding in accordance with resolution 2736 (2024), the resolution gives priority to national efforts, national ownership and peacebuilding. The Government of the Sudan has asked tribal leaders in Darfur and in other states to withdraw tribal members that were lured into fighting by the militia. The armed forces are welcoming them into their ranks, as the armed forces are a national institution. We asked the tribes that helped the Rapid Support Forces militia to condemn its atrocities. We asked the tribes to enter into a dialogue with the Government in order to enhance the role of civil administrations in stopping the war. The Government also held a dialogue with the Masalit tribes and others to help protect them and ensure their return to their homes. The armed forces contributed to reducing fighting by 15 per cent and reducing violence by 38 per cent, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data website. With regard to sexual violence, the agency for protecting women and children from violence confirmed that the militia has used rape and sexual violence as a tactic of war during conflict in order to humiliate men and women, weaken the fabric of society, and to force people to leave their homes, displace them forcibly and replace them with people coming from the Sahel. The agency also indicated that the Rapid Support Forces militia have employed sexual violence in villages east of Gezira state, targeting female healthcare providers. Responding to sexual violence is affected by shortages in drugs for the clinical treatment of rape victims and trained medical staff. We have struggled to monitor cases of sexual violence in Gezira state since its invasion by the militia in December 2023. Local, regional and international reactions have not been commensurate with the gravity of the crimes perpetrated by the militia. Support for female survivors in accessing justice, receiving care with their families and making them whole has decreased. The Government of the Sudan will sign a new cooperation framework with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict when she visits the Sudan in the near future. That framework will include legal standards and preventive measures to enhance the capacity of the states, raising awareness in communities about reporting sexual violence and fighting the stigma affecting female survivors and ensuring their rehabilitation. There is a formal national willingness to enhance health, legal and justice systems; provide training; establish codes of conduct and fight impunity. Finally, the Sudan demands that the Rapid Support Forces militia be disarmed. This entity has turned into terrorist groups that rely on foreign mercenaries to foment instability. The Security Council must consider the Rapid Support Forces militia and their foreign mercenaries affiliates as terrorist groups pursuing terrorism. Assistance should be provided to disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes, and support granted to a unified national army, as stated in the Constitution. Support must also be provided to remove the mines planted by the militia. The Sudan is suffering from the unjust arms embargo imposed on the state of Darfur. If the protection of civilians is truly a responsibility of the State, then resolution 1591 (2005) should be revoked because it prevents the protection of civilians in Darfur. Punishing armed forces because they are armed is a political paradox. Arms must be in the hands of the army, and armies are supposed to carry arms. We therefore warn of reducing the fighting capabilities of the army and imposing an arms embargo on it because that would lead to supporting the terrorist militia, which receive the most lethal weapons through border crossings. With regard to children in conflict, certain enemy politicians affiliated with the militia have spread news that the army is deliberately bombarding children. The armed forces and the Government of the Sudan respect the Council’s resolutions and respond to mechanisms known as children and armed conflict mechanisms, including those related to addressing violations, providing support to enhance health facilities and rehabilitating hospitals destroyed by the militia. The principle of national ownership and peacebuilding through political will and the protection of civilians require special support for the Sudanese police so that they can protect the people. The Government of the Sudan upholds all constructive efforts to end the war. It is ready to achieve peace provided that the rebel militia acknowledges the outcome of the Jeddah Declaration and withdraws from the houses of civilians and civilian objects.

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