PRESS RELEASE : Ongoing conflict in Sudan is having a devastating impact on the Sudanese people – UK statement at the Security Council [May 2023]

Thank you, President. And thank you Special Representative Perthes, Commissioner Adeoye and Executive-Secretary Gebeyehu for their briefings.

Let me start by underlining our support for SRSG Perthes and all UN staff who continue to work in Sudan under extremely challenging circumstances.

President, the conflict in Sudan is a tragedy and has had a devastating impact on the Sudanese people.

The United Kingdom urges the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to immediately stop fighting, protect civilians and grant safe and immediate humanitarian access.

Coordinated action by international and regional partners is crucial to help end this conflict.

We welcome all diplomatic efforts towards this goal including the 11 May Jeddah Declaration and the Ceasefire Agreement agreed on 20 May.

But these commitments will be worthless if they are not put into action or used to secure a military advantage. We call on the parties to fully abide by their commitments in their letter and spirit.

We also welcome the efforts of the AU, IGAD, and League of Arab States to help bring an end to the violence. It is essential that there is strong coordination of efforts between regional and multilateral bodies.

It is also imperative that the voices of the Sudanese civilians are heard loud and clear. They must be included at every stage of the process, especially in mediation efforts to bring an end to the fighting and ultimately to deliver a democratic transition with a civilian government.

President, let me address the appalling human rights and humanitarian situation caused by this fighting.

As we heard, over 500 civilians have been killed. Thousands injured.  Millions more lack food and medicine. In West Darfur, visceral violence is igniting at a scale not experienced in decades.

Over 150,000 people have been forced to flee Sudan. The United Kingdom would like to extend our thanks and pledge our support to the neighbouring countries who have welcomed refugees.

Humanitarian need has risen sharply, having already been at record levels prior to the conflict.

We call for an immediate end to the continued attacks on civilian infrastructure, including homes, healthcare facilities, schools, and places of worship. The looting of humanitarian assets is simply unacceptable.  We reiterate that the perpetrators must be held accountable.

President, in closing, we offer our full support to UNITAMS as we enter discussions on the renewal of the mandate and we stand in solidarity with the Sudanese people in their demands for a peaceful and democratic future.

Thank you.