Sudan’s Worsening Violence, Humanitarian Crisis Could Foreshadow Civil War, Senior Officials Warn Security Council, Calling for Urgent Action to End Conflict
Worsening violence in Sudan could foreshadow a civil war alongside a humanitarian situation that will, in turn, dramatically deteriorate the possibility of needed and urgent action, senior United Nations officials warned the Security Council today, as speakers spotlighted the importance of regional engagement, dialogue and humanitarian relief to ameliorating the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS), noted that almost five months have passed since the deadly conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Detailing worsening violence, cross-border mobilization and displacement, he observed: “What started as a conflict between two military formations could be morphing into a full-scale civil war.”
Recounting how that war is destroying lives and leaving a tragic legacy of human rights abuses, he underscored that the warring parties — who chose to settle their conflict through fighting — have a duty to the Sudanese people to end it. He also observed that indiscriminate aerial bombing is being conducted by the Sudanese Armed Forces, and most of the sexual violence, looting and killing is happening in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces. Underlining the need to impress on the warring parties that they cannot operate with impunity, he urged: “Sudan cannot — and must not — endure the costs of this war indefinitely.”
He also announced that he has requested to be relieved of duty in his role as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sudan. “I have come to know Sudan as a country of tremendous potential, indomitable spirit, cultural richness and diversity,” he said, underscoring that they need the world’s support and solidarity more than ever to pressure the military leadership to end the war and empower civilians for a transition towards democratic governance.
Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, then detailed such costs, which include about 1 million newly displaced people every month, distressing levels of sexual violence, a complete breakdown of the health system and more than 6 million people now one step away from famine. With these enormous challenges, the humanitarian community is struggling to scale-up operations and meet growing needs.
Urging all actors to fully respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, she also underlined the need for the warring parties to recommit to regular, direct humanitarian dialogue at a senior level. “The situation can, and will, get immeasurably worse unless urgent action is taken,” she said, calling on the international community to spare no effort in seeking a negotiated solution to end the war.
Also briefing the Council was Mayada Adil, a civil society speaker representing Sudanese women and girls, who said that condemning the war is not enough for “those who were raped, sexually assaulted and exploited as sex slaves”. Detailing accounts from survivors, she pointed out that the predators behind these crimes are walking freely, without accountability, treating women’s bodies as their personal battlefields.
She pointed out that Sudanese women are peace advocates, recalling that it was Sudanese women who were the ones on the front lines of the 2019 peaceful civilian revolution. However, women’s political space in Sudan has diminished since the war erupted. They have not only been forbidden from any demonstrations, but have also been excluded from all regional and international discussions on ending the war, she said, urging the Council to prioritize women’s participation in decision-making processes.
In the ensuing debate, many Council members expressed concern over the conflict’s myriad impacts on civilians and urged the warring parties to negotiate towards a cessation of hostilities. Some also underlined the need for Khartoum to facilitate humanitarian access, along with the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the conflict and associated atrocities. Others spotlighted the importance of regional engagement.
On that, Ghana’s representative — also speaking for Gabon and Mozambique — welcomed the African Union’s efforts to establish a credible civilian dialogue. He noted, however, that different processes by different actors — if not coordinated — can frustrate the desired result of peace in Sudan, calling for coherent action to abate arms proliferation in the country. Reiterating that there is no military solution to the conflict, he called on the parties to “silence the guns and resort to dialogue”.
The representative of China similarly expressed support for regional countries’ engagement in diplomacy, mediation and communication. Noting that China has delivered multiple shipments of life-sustaining goods and medical supplies — and that “more are to follow” — he nevertheless expressed concern over the shortfall in humanitarian funding. The Council, therefore, should encourage the sides to “rebuild mutual trust and prevent things from getting worse”, he said.
Ecuador’s representative, meanwhile, underscored that the Council “cannot remain silent” amidst conflict-related sexual violence, indiscriminate attacks against civilians, forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, campaigns of fear, ethnic killings, burning of villages and arms trafficking. Urging the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to end the bloodshed and suffering, he also called on Sudanese authorities to facilitate humanitarian access.
The representative of Albania, Council President for September, speaking in his national capacity, built on that stance by urging Khartoum to expedite visa issuance for UN staff and humanitarian workers, emphasizing: “These people are not going for vacation.” He also drew attention to a strong appeal for the protection of civilians and accountability for gender-based violence issued by 11 Council members before today’s meeting. The international community cannot fail the people of Sudan — because their leaders have let them down — he said, adding that regional initiatives are “the only way to end the nightmare”.
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15409.doc.htm
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