Explanation of Vote delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, on behalf of the A3+, at the Adoption of the Sudan Panel of Experts Mandate Renewal

Mr. President, 
 
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and my own country Guyana.  
 
The A3+ acknowledges the efforts of the United States, as the penholder, in facilitating the negotiation process. We negotiated in good faith by laying bare our concerns and constructively engaging with all Council members throughout the negotiations.  
 
While we recognize the collective effort to agree on a concise version of the resolution, we regret that the A3+ proposal to align the extension of the Panel of Experts’ mandate with the sanctions measures imposed on Darfur, Sudan was not considered.  

This misalignment, unique to the sanctions regime in Darfur, must be addressed by the Council. 

Nevertheless, the A3+ voted in favor of this resolution to reaffirm our continued support for the Panel of Experts on Sudan, established under Security Council resolution 1591.  

We acknowledge its critical role in monitoring developments on the ground and providing comprehensive assessments to the Council.  

We remain gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Sudan, particularly the escalating violence against civilians. The increasing flow of weapons, foreign interference in the conflict, and the recruitment of children, continue to exacerbate the crisis. 

These developments reinforce the need for sustained monitoring and reporting by the Panel of Experts to keep the Council informed and engaged. In this regard, the A3+ underscores the following: 

First, the A3+ reiterates, as highlighted by many Council members, that aligning the cycle for both the mandate of the Panel of Experts and the 1591 sanctions regime is a matter that must be addressed. 

This inconsistency has persisted for too long and should be corrected to ensure coordinated action and facilitate smoother transitions in future engagements on this file. We anticipate a thorough discussion on this matter when the renewal of the sanctions regime is reviewed in September. 

Second, as a matter of principle, the A3+ notes that sanctions form part of the toolkit of the Security Council to address conflict situations. However, sanctions are not necessarily the sole strategic means for achieving peace and security in conflict settings. Conflict resolution requires a range of tools, and sanction measures alone have not been universally effective in restoring international peace and security. 

There must be a clear and defined pathway for the eventual lifting of sanctions, with periodic evaluations to ensure they serve their intended purpose without causing unintended consequences. 

We stress the importance of a principled approach that supports a resolution to the crisis while ensuring that measures imposed by the Council remain balanced and constructive.  

Third, the A3+ calls upon foreign actors supplying arms to the conflict parties to desist and rather use their influence on the parties to agree to a ceasefire and pursue the path of political dialogue to resolve the conflict in Sudan.  

To conclude, the A3+ remains committed to engaging constructively with all members of the Security Council in the collective pursuit of peace, stability, and accountability in Sudan. 

I thank you, Mr. President.