PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities during the month of Ramadan in Sudan – UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2024.

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.