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, President,

I have the honor to deliver this Statement on behalf of the A3+, namely Guyana, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and my country, Algeria.

We wish, at the outset, to thank ASG for Africa, Ms. Martha Pobee and Ms. Joyce Msuya, Acting USG for Humanitarian Affairs for their updates on the situation in Sudan, and welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Sudan in today’s meeting.

Mr. President,

More than 500 days have passed since the outbreak of the deadly conflict in Sudan. A conflict that claimed tens of thousands of lives and created the world’s largest hunger, protection, and displacement crisis, affecting both Sudan and neighboring countries.

Despite the numerous calls made by this very Council for de-escalation and the protection of civilians, we are, once again, appalled by the reports of attacks on El Fasher.

Attacks conducted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), against the Northern Darfur city, and on the Abou Shouk and Al Salaam displacement camps. We firmly condemn these attacks perpetrated by the RSF.

Civilians in Northern Darfur, can no longer find a place to feel safe….  to protect their children….  to enjoy the fundamental right to a decent life.

Using heavy weaponry and the intensification of hostilities are reducing the city to rubble. Civilians are being put in danger, daily, by the RSF, who decided to launch renewed attacks against the months-long besieged city.

The A3+ reiterates the provisions of the recently adopted Resolution 2736 that called on the RSF to halt their siege on El Fasher.

….A call flagrantly IGNORED!

In a time of renewed hope for the improvement of the humanitarian situation, in particular following the decision, by the Sudanese Government, to reopen the Adré Border Crossing and the Dabbah Road, we have been taken many steps back, following the latest attacks.

These renewed attacks, are also worsening acute food insecurity levels, particularly within the IDP camp in Zamzam, where the rates of malnutrition are reaching unprecedented levels.

Mr. President and dear colleagues,

We can no longer tolerate these violations of international law,  and international humanitarian law….

We can no longer tolerate defiance of our resolutions, as illustrated by the RSF’s last attacks …

We can no longer tolerate seeing civilians under siege, while suffering malnutrition and unspeakable human rights violations.

In this regard, we wish to underline the following points:

First, there is a need to sustain the measures taken recently to facilitate humanitarian access to reach all affected civilians, including in El Fasher and its vicinity.

Support for humanitarian efforts has to be increased by continued scaling-up of the funding to the humanitarian response plan.

Second, any approach to the protection of civilians must be comprehensive and fact-based. Naming and holding accountable, the perpetrators of all types of violations, such as those repeatedly committed by the RSF, will be a good starting point, for establishing credibility of the approach.

The protection of civilians will rely on continued peace and mediation efforts deployed by the United Nations, the African Union, and international partners. We must continue to coordinate efforts that build on the achievements realized by the Jeddah Process, and enhance the strategic engagements of conflict parties.

In this regard, we reiterate the need for coordination that preserves the central role of the United Nations.

Protection of civilians also means putting an end to external interference and the support provided by external actors, to the belligerents in Darfur – in direct violation of the arms embargo and the sanctions regime.

Third, ensuring that international law and human rights principles are respected by the Sudanese parties, namely the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, is crucial. The repeated attacks by the RSF and their continued siege on
El Fasher must be met with a firm response, and clear accountability measures.

Mr. President,

We reaffirm the need for both parties to protect women, girls, children, and all vulnerable persons, deeply affected by this protracted conflict.

The incidence of sexual violence is especially abhorrent and the A3+ demands, in this regard, that the parties comply with their International Humanitarian Law obligations.

Peace must prevail in Sudan.

I thank you.