The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a key resolution on
Sudan, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the
war-torn country during the month of Ramadan, which begins on
Sunday.
In resolution 2724 (2024), adopted with 14 votes in favour and
one abstention (Russia), the Council also called on all parties
to the conflict to seek a sustainable resolution to the fighting
through dialogue.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the
paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in April last
year in and around the capital. In the eleven months
since, the fighting has spread, claiming thousands of lives,
driven millions from their homes and plunged Sudan into a dire
humanitarian crisis.
In the resolution, the Security
Council expressed grave concern over the deteriorating
humanitarian situation, including “crisis levels or worse” of
acute food insecurity, particularly in the Darfur region, as well
as ongoing reports of violations of international humanitarian
and human rights laws, including cases of sexual violence in
conflict.
It urged all parties to the conflict “to ensure the removal of
any obstructions and enable full, rapid, safe and unhindered
humanitarian access, including cross-border and crossline, and
comply with their obligations under international humanitarian
law, including to protect civilians and civilian objects, and
their commitments under the Declaration of Commitment to Protect
the Civilians of Sudan (‘Jeddah Declaration’).”
It also encouraged Ramtane Lamamra, the Secretary-General’s
Personal Envoy, to use his good offices with the parties and
Sudan’s neighbours, complementing and coordinating regional peace
efforts.
Sudan Sanctions Panel of Experts
In another action on Friday, with 13 votes in favour and two
abstentions (China and Russia), the Security Council renewed
the mandate of
the 1591 Sudan Sanctions
Committee Panel of Experts, which expires next Tuesday,
for a further year.
The panel was established
on 29 March 2005 to assist the committee in monitoring
the implementation of sanctions measures imposed by the Council
(arms embargo, travel ban and assets freeze) on several armed
groups and individuals in Sudan.
The UK calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities
during the month of Ramadan in Sudan: UK statement at the UN
Security Council
Explanation of Vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN
Security Council meeting on Sudan.
Thank you, President, with the adoption of this resolution the
Council has sent a strong and clear message to the Sudanese Armed
Forces and Rapid Support Forces to agree an immediate cessation of
hostilities during the month of Ramadan. This follows the call
of the Secretary-General and of the African Union.
We urge the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to act
on this united international call for peace and to silence the
guns. We further urge the warring parties to build trust
and seek a sustainable resolution to the conflict through
dialogue.
President, the situation in Sudan is of grave concern and the
humanitarian needs of Sudan’s population are acute. We
support the work of UN agencies and civil society organisations
in their efforts to support those in need and underline the need
for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access.
We welcome all mediation efforts to help achieve an end to this
brutal conflict and further encourage the Secretary-General’s
Personal Envoy Ramtane Lamamra to complement and help coordinate
regional efforts.
President, this Council needs to continue to support efforts for
peace in Sudan. We look forward to continuing to work across
the UN, the region and Council members towards this goal.
And in that regard, I thank my colleagues across the Council for
their engagement on this resolution.
Let me express my thanks also to our team and all of the
colleagues and experts who agreed this text, thank you.
