PRESS RELEASE : The UN and international community’s support for Sudan remains crucial: UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 December 2023.

Explanation of vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

Thank you President, the United Kingdom welcomes adoption of the resolution and thanks Council members for their engagement.

Let me be clear, the United Kingdom would not have chosen to close UNITAMS at this moment.  We commend the work done by the mission both before and since the outbreak of conflict. But given the unequivocal demand of the Sudanese authorities for the immediate termination of UNITAMS we have worked tirelessly as penholder to agree a compromise of an orderly transition and liquidation.

We reiterate that the Sudanese authorities remain responsible for the safety and security of UNITAMS staff and assets during this transition and call for their full cooperation in allowing an orderly withdrawal and the transfer of relevant tasks, including by granting necessary visas in a timely manner.

President, conflict in Sudan has derailed the political transition UNITAMS was created to support.  It has caused immense human suffering, atrocities against civilians and reports of ethnic cleansing in Darfur.  There can be no military solution to this conflict and that the two warring parties should engage in meaningful talks towards a permanent ceasefire and transfer of power to a civilian administration.

And though the UN mission to assist the democratic transition in Sudan will close, the need for the UN and international community to support the Sudanese people has not reduced. We welcome the appointment of Ramtane Lamamra as the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Sudan and we encourage all parties to engage with him constructively.

The United Kingdom looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with Council members, UN, the Sudanese authorities, and other stakeholders to support the Sudanese people in realising their aspirations for a peaceful, stable, democratic, and prosperous future.