Vietnam calls for stronger efforts to protect civilians in Sudan

People march on a street in Kassala city of Sudan (Photo: dabangasudan.org)
The event, which looked into the situation in Sudan and activities of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the country (UNITAMS), saw the presence of Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan Volker Perthes, and representative from Insight Strategy Partners Kholood Khair.

Speakers updated participants on new developments in Sudan over the last three months, including the strides in the implementation of the peace agreement on October 3 last year between the Sudanese Government and the majority of armed groups from Darfur.

They recognised the formation of the transitional council and the new cabinet but also voiced concern over economic hardships, humanitarian issues, and growing violence among communities, especially in Darfur region.

Volker Perthes also informed about initial moves by UNITAMS to support the transitional process in Sudan, affirming that the mission will keep close liaison with the Sudanese Government while performing its duties.

Sharing the speakers’ assessment of the recent progress in Sudan, member states of the UN Security Council held that there remain numerous difficulties in the African country, especially the escalation of violence among communities, the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, and economic and humanitarian crises.

They recommended the Sudanese Government further promote the capacity of protecting civilians in Darfur region and guarantee safety for the UN – African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) during this mission’s withdrawal.

The chargé d’affaires of Sudan in the UN said the country’s government will strive to boost the transitional process and realise its top responsibility of protecting civilians, including those in Darfur.

In his speech, Ambassador Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, highly valued the recent strides in Sudan, expressing his hope that the transitional government and relevant parties there will keep fully carrying out the peace deal on October 3, 2020, thereby helping to build long-term peace and stability in the country.

Appreciating the UN, countries, and regional organisations’ role in promoting peace and stability in Sudan, he appealed to the international community to continue humanitarian assistance and further facilitate this country’s access to international financial institutions.

The diplomat said he hopes UNITAMS will soon be put into full operation so as to support the transitional process and development in Sudan. He also underlined the importance of safety for the withdrawal of the UNAMID force.

Amid certain security improvement in Darfur, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2559 on December 22, 2020, that decided to end UNAMID’s operations on December 31 the same year and requested this mission to complete the withdrawal between January 1 and June 30, 2021.

The council set up UNITAMS in June 2020 under Resolution 2524. This is a political mission whose main duties are supporting the transitional and peace process, state governance, the mobilisation of resources for economy and development, and humanitarian assistance. It also helps improve the Sudanese Government’s capacity of protecting civilians in Darfur but doesn’t directly engage in the duty like UNAMID./.

VNA