Sudan and South Sudan - Security Council, 921…

In Significant Breakthrough, Military, Political Actors Sign New Framework Political Agreement

While Sudan has been facing a multidimensional political, economic and security crisis since the military takeover of 25 October 2021, the dynamic of recent weeks is cause for optimism, suggesting that it may enter a transitional phase, thanks to a new political framework agreement, the top United Nations official in that country told the Security Council today.

Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), noted that military leadership and political actors signed a political framework on Monday, 5 December, which may lead to the formation of a new civilian Government and democratic elections over a two-year transition phase.  On 24 October, the Trilateral Mechanism — the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development and UNITAMS — received a document from the military leadership with their comments and amendments to the draft constitutional document, representing a significant breakthrough.

He affirmed that civilian signatories to the draft have formed a collective to engage in talks with the military, leading to agreement on a two-phase political process to return to civilian-led transition.  Once reached, the final political agreement will lead to a civilian Government that should be in a better position to address the multidimensional crisis and build a democratic State, he said.  The coup and subsequent impasse plunged the country into insecurity, including escalating tensions and violence, with 900 people reportedly killed and many more injured since the beginning of the year.

Since his last briefing, a state of emergency has been imposed on the Blue Nile region, he said, urging all sides engaged in conflict in several regions to at least commit to the principle of non-escalation.  Humanitarian partners estimate that 15.8 million people — one third of the population — will need assistance in 2023, while the United Nations and partner agencies’ humanitarian response plan is only funded at 41.3 per cent, he noted.  While the signing of the framework agreement is a significant breakthrough, critical issues must still be addressed, including security sector reform and merging of forces, transitional justice, implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, and status of the Dismantling Committee.

In the ensuing debate, most delegates sounded a note of cautious optimism over recent developments on the ground and in the political sphere, while expressing concern over outbreaks of violence and a dire humanitarian situation.

The representative of Ghana, also speaking for Gabon and Kenya, called on signatories of the political framework agreement to continue their efforts in broadening the support base, and working with non-signatories to build consensus and address remaining issues.  Sudanese authorities must release all political detainees, a critical confidence-building measure for a viable and inclusive political dialogue, she said.

Voicing concern about the recurrent outbreak of intercommunal violence in Darfur — despite the signing on 3 August of a cessation of hostilities agreement — she called on the Government to investigate insecurity incidents and criminal activities in bringing the perpetrators to book.  Expressing concern about the dire economic situation in Sudan and the global food crisis, she echoed the Secretary-General’s appeal for support to vulnerable communities and continued international assistance for Sudan.

The representative of France welcomed the signing of the framework agreement, which must now be implemented and followed by the appointment of a civilian government.  The authorities must ensure conditions for this political process by guaranteeing the right to peaceful protest and ending impunity for those responsible for violence against protesters.  The establishment of a functioning Government is essential to stop the spiral of inter-community violence, she said.

Albania’s delegate expressed concern over the political, security, human rights and humanitarian situations in the country.  The political framework agreement is welcome, given the role played by Sudanese civil society, but reports of large-scale violence in Blue Nile State are alarming, demonstrating the urgent need to implement the Juba Peace Agreement.  In this regard, accountability for violence against civilians, as well as human rights and sexual and gender-based violations, is essential for implementing the agreement in a manner that improves Sudanese lives.

While emphasizing the stabilizing effect of the recent political agreement on the domestic political situation in Sudan, the Russian Federation’s representative stressed the need to focus on implementation.  She said the painstaking work must continue with all influential forces and groups, including those who did not sign the agreement.  As the Sudanese people can independently and without external interference resolve the issues they face, the Trilateral Mechanism must continue to support the political process and drafting of a constitution, with UNITAMS acting strictly in line with its defined mandate.

Sounding a note of warning, China’s representative stated that pressuring Sudan by cancelling economic aid and debt relief is nothing short of collective punishment, and can lead to serious economic and humanitarian consequences.  With the situation in Darfur relatively stable, and a drop in large-scale violence, he stressed that Security Council sanctions are no longer relevant to the situation on the ground, as they hinder the Sudanese Government’s ability to carry out security operations, and should be adjusted until they are lifted.

Welcoming recent optimism, the representative of Sudan urged the United Nations and Secretary-General to intensify their support for the country.  “Help Sudan so that we can lift the UN sanctions”, he encouraged, calling on the international community to honour its commitments to the Juba Peace Agreement and convince other armed groups that have not joined the peace process to do so.   He attributed the relative stability in Darfur to tribal and local reconciliation meetings in the West and South over the past year.  On the Blue Nile, he said the Government managed clashes there, restoring security and facilitating reconciliation, compensation and justice.

The resumption of hostilities in Kordofan was due to opposition armed groups, which are invested in tribal conflicts, he said.  Addressing violence against children, he spotlighted several practical elements that have been adopted by the transitional government.  On the dire humanitarian situation, he called on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to help internally displaced persons and refugees, especially by ensuring basic sanitary and emergency services and restoring hospitals and health-care centres, voicing his country’s hope for closer cooperation with international financial institutions and development assistance from bilateral partners.

Also speaking were the representatives of United Kingdom, Norway, Ireland, United States, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Mexico and India.

The meeting began at 10:14 a.m. and ended at 11:40 a.m.