I will now make a statement in my national capacity.
I would like to express our gratitude to Secretary-General Guterres for his presentation today. His presence shows the importance of leadership at the highest level to finally bring to an end this conflict, the catastrophic scale of which defies all comprehension and requires our full attention.
We would also like to thank you, Ms Eltigani, for sharing your personal account of the horrors of this conflict. But we have also heard your clear message of hope for a better future. That must be the focus of our efforts here in the Council.
Colleagues,
I would like to emphasize the heavy toll that this conflict is taking on civilians throughout Sudan. It is only getting worse with the escalation of fighting in El Fasher and more recently in Khartoum, Sennar and Gezira. This is unacceptable, and underlines the urgent need to prioritize protection and prevention measures, even in the midst of ongoing hostilities.
In the light of the Secretary-General's recommendations in this regard, I would like to reiterate five points:
First of all, there must be an immediate cessation of hostilities, which this Council has repeatedly called for. This is clearly the most effective way – and indeed the only way – of ensuring the full and lasting protection of civilians. We therefore call on the parties to the conflict to return to the negotiating table without delay. As complementary measures, localised ceasefires or humanitarian pauses are concrete actions to offer respite to civilians.
Second, there is an urgent need to finally respect international humanitarian law and human rights, as well as the commitments made by the parties themselves, in particular the Jeddah Declaration. Protecting civilians is not an option but an obligation. We condemn the reported atrocities committed by the RSF against civilians in Gezira in recent days, which are deeply disturbing. The establishment by the parties of a compliance mechanism to monitor the fulfilment of these obligations would be a major step forward. Local organizations play an important role in the protection of civilians and in the humanitarian response and must be protected, as reaffirmed in resolution 2730.
Third, and just as urgently, the humanitarian situation must be improved. Eighteen months of conflict have created the world's worst food crisis and the first confirmation of famine for seven years, while thousands of people continue to go hungry in silence. We reiterate our call on all parties to ensure rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained access across borders and frontlines. Aid must reach those in need. All obstacles and obstructions must be removed. We call for all supply routes, including Adre, to be opened indefinitely. At the same time, humanitarian contributions must increase. Since the beginning of the conflict, Switzerland has provided more than 100 million dollars to its partners in Sudan and the region. And we will continue to do so.
Fourth, we must finally ensure accountability, which has been largely absent for the last twenty years. Without it, peace will remain out of reach. The appalling accounts of sexual and gender-based violence and ethnic violence, while the risks of genocide continue to be highlighted, call for action. Alongside the International Criminal Court, the Fact-Finding Mission, with its new mandate, is essential in the fight against impunity.
And finally, we must address the systematic violations of the binding resolutions of this Council, including the arms embargo. We reiterate our call on the parties and Member States to ensure the full implementation of these resolutions.
Colleagues,
At our recent annual exchange with the African Union Peace and Security Council in New York, our two Councils stressed that there is no military solution to this conflict. We must intensify our diplomatic efforts, including facilitating an inclusive political process. In this context, we express our strong support for the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy to complement and coordinate these efforts.
I would like to come back to the very clear calls from many Sudanese men and women, reiterated today by you, Ms Eltigani, to act without delay. In Resolution 2736, this Council asked the Secretary General to formulate recommendations, which have been submitted to us. They must now be implemented.
Thank you.