President, nearly two years since the start of this war, and once again I cannot fail to be struck by the reports of death and destruction.
More violence. More families ripped apart. More children starving.
Last month, my Foreign Secretary visited Adré and heard first-hand about the suffering faced by women. The suffering of sexual violence, of rape, of hunger, who had fled the conflict.
It does not need to be this way.
The parties to the conflict can take actions now to end the suffering.
And I’d like to highlight three priorities.
First, we urge the parties to end their military ambitions and focus on creating the conditions for peace, including through full co-operation with UN and African Union mediation efforts.
We share the Secretary-General’s deep concern at the announcement by the Rapid Support Forces and affiliated civilian actors and armed groups of a political charter that expresses an intention to establish a governing authority in areas of their control.
Deepened divisions risk even further destabilisation in Sudan and the region.
Respect for Sudan’s charter rights, its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity is vital and will be necessary for a sustainable end to this war.
In April, my Foreign Secretary will invite Foreign Ministers from some 20 states and international organisations to London, for discussions focused on supporting a peaceful way forward for the Sudanese people.
Second, both parties must facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief to people in need.
The decision by the Sudanese Armed Forces to keep the Adré border crossing open is welcome.
But with over 30 million people in humanitarian need, it is simply not enough.
We urge the SAF to open Adré permanently, and authorise the use of further regional border crossings.
We call on both sides to lift unnecessary bureaucratic impediments which are delaying aid deliveries by weeks, and to provide humanitarian actors with security guarantees to operate safely.
Third, we reiterate the Council’s calls for the Rapid Support Forces to end their siege on El Fasher and cease all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
We call on both parties to protect civilians, in line with their obligations under the Jeddah Declaration.
Mr President, the parties to the conflict should act now to end this suffering.
