PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s veto prevented necessary Council action on the basic right of African civilians to be protected: UK statement at the UN General Assembly [November 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 November 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN General Assembly meeting on the use of the veto.

Last week our Foreign Secretary used the UK Presidency of the Security Council to draw the world’s attention to the devasting impact on civilians of the conflict in Sudan.

The Secretary-General’s October report described the deliberate targeting of civilians, widespread sexual violence, and the abduction of children.

The UK and Sierra Leone decided to act in response to the urgent situation on the ground. Working in partnership, we co-penned a resolution on the protection of civilians, seeking to bring the Council together to address the protection crisis.

We consulted extensively with Council members and stakeholders to produce a balanced text.

The draft resolution called for the development of a compliance mechanism for the Jeddah Declaration, ensuring that the commitments made by both parties to protect civilians translated to results on the ground.

It called for the warring parties to support humanitarian pauses to ensure the safe passage of civilians and aid.

And it would have provided the international community with practical steps to support mediation efforts, to protect civilians and work towards a lasting ceasefire.

The draft resolution also fully respected the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan. We engaged extensively and listened carefully to the views of the Sudanese Mission when developing the text.

Nothing in the text compromised the sovereignty of Sudan. Indeed, the provisions on humanitarian access through border crossings were explicit that this should be done with the prior agreement and coordination of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council.

The Sierra Leone UK co-penned resolution received 14 votes in favour. This included all the African Council members.  But one country cynically blocked this resolution at the last minute.

Russia’s veto prevented necessary Council action on the basic rights of African civilians to be protected.

Despite Russia’s veto, 14 votes in favour sends a clear message. The international community will not allow Sudan to be forgotten, nor the suffering of civilians to be ignored.

We must ensure that the Security Council continues to act for peace in Sudan. Our ambition remains high and unwavering, and we hope to move forward constructively.

The UK is doing its part. Foreign Secretary Lammy announced last week that we are doubling the UK’s humanitarian aid to Sudan, providing an additional $143 million.

But funding is not the only issue, we must ensure that aid actually reaches those most in need. We welcome the decision to extend the authorization of the Adre crossing and the establishment of UN humanitarian hubs in El-Obeid Kadugli and Ad-Damazin. We call on the Sudanese authorities to facilitate UN presence and delivery across all of Sudan.

We welcome the new emergency relief coordinators visit to Sudan, and we will continue to work with our OCHA, our African partners and other actors to press for more aid, more access and more protection in Sudan.