A3+ Statement delivered by H.E. Amar Bendjama, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the UN, at Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Sudan
Thank You Madame President,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+ namely: Guyana, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and my own Country Algeria. First, we would like to thank USG Dicarlo, AU High Representative Ibn Chambas and OCHA Director Worsornu, for their briefings. We wish also to welcome the Permanent Representative of Sudan to this meeting.
Madame President,
A year has passed since the conflict in Sudan erupted, and here we are meeting today, to discuss the situation again, while thousands of lives have been lost, and millions have been forcibly displaced.
Naturally, we would have been satisfied if our meeting today, was aimed at taking stock, of the progress made, in bringing the parties to the negotiating table… to assess the successful implementation of resolution 2724 (2024)… or to discuss the way forward for the reconstruction of the country.
Instead, we find ourselves compelled, to reiterate our concerns, about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation, and to describe, what is now, the largest displacement crisis in the world.
At this stage, we believe it is essential to ask ourselves, some serious questions:
How did we get to this point ?
What did not work correctly in the efforts deployed on the peace process, in Sudan, during the recent years, particularly those of the UN ?
What lessons can we draw from the Council’s response to the crisis in the Sudan ?
Did we effectively engage with the Sudanese Government and take on board its views ?
After a year of this appalling situation, we need to find answers to these questions, to engage better and to set Sudan on a path to peace. The non-observance of the ceasefire by the warring parties, during Ramadan, is regrettable, but we prefer to cling to the window of hope, that the existing frameworks of negotiations will soon bring tangible results.
We urge the Council to continue signaling its strong support to this end.
The upcoming round of the Jeddah Process represents an opportunity which the Sudanese parties MUST seize and participate in the negotiations in good faith. We reiterate our appreciation, in this regard, to the co-facilitators of the process, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States, as well as IGAD which also represents the African Union. This process has gathered, until now, acceptance from the main actors and needs to be preserved. We seize this opportunity to reiterate our call for coordinated diplomatic efforts, with the UN, the African Union, IGAD and the region, working hand in hand to address the persisting challenges.
In this regard, we welcome the communiqué adopted by the AU PSC, following its meeting held yesterday on the Sudan, and we look forward to having an important contribution by the AU in finding a lasting solution to the conflict in the Sudan.
We have also taken note of the convening, in Paris, of the International humanitarian Conference on the Sudan and the neighboring countries, and welcome the pledges made by international donors to mobilize more than USD 2 billion to alleviate the suffering of millions of displaced Sudanese.
While welcoming these positive efforts, much more is required. According to OCHA over 2.7 billion USD is required to address humanitarian needs in Sudan for 2024 alone. We therefore echo the many calls made by the Secretary General to fully fund the humanitarian response plan to address the acute humanitarian situation. A situation that reached an unprecedented point of distress, with a high risk of food insecurity, widespread insecurity, and flagrant human rights abuses, among other atrocities.
Sudan, which opened its doors in the past and showed generosity to thousands of displaced people from the region, deserves our full support during these difficult time.
Madame President,
It is never enough to call on external actors to abstain from interfering in the conflict in Sudan. We wish to remind that there is a sanctions regime in place, and needless to recall the contained provisions regarding arms transfer.
While reiterating our position that external interference MUST be publicly and firmly condemned, we strongly urge those involved to desist from such interference and to yield to dialogue, cooperation and adherence to international law.
Before concluding, the A3+ wishes to underline the following points:
It is now, more than ever, the time for the Sudanese parties to exercise restraint, and to reach agreement for the peaceful resolution of the conflict. There can be no military solution to this conflict.
The Council has to learn from its past involvement in Sudan, to define a more constructive role, in finding an effective and durable solution to the conflict in Sudan.
We need to have an attentive ear to the Sudanese Government.
Inclusiveness and coordination must shape all initiatives undertaken by the international Community and the Council concerning Sudan. There should be no room for selectivity of double standards.
We need to place confidence in the regional efforts, and work towards ensuring the full ownership of a durable solution by the Sudanese themselves.
Protection of the most vulnerable, particularly Women and Children, and guarantying unrestricted access for humanitarian assistance must remain paramount.
Madame President,
The impact of the conflict in Sudan is heavily felt in the region, thus requiring concerted efforts to address the induced humanitarian and security impacts. Sudan is a dear Nation to all of us, and we cannot afford to be indifferent to what is happening in Sudan, and should do our utmost to avoid a further escalation of the conflict. Peace must prevail in the Sudan.
Thank You.
