Mr President,
Allow me first of all to congratulate China on the work accomplished during the month of November and to assure you, Mr President, and your team of our full support for your presidency.
We thank the United Kingdom for its efforts and its constructive and consultative approach to reaching a compromise on the text which has been put to the vote today.
We have taken note of the Sudanese authorities' decision to terminate UNITAMS’ mandate. This decision comes against the backdrop of persistent fighting with a catastrophic toll on the civilian population. Millions of people are displaced. Millions of people are dependent on humanitarian aid and desperately seeking safety from the violence. We hear warnings of the risks of genocide and other atrocity crimes - crimes that are taking place in a context of almost complete impunity. We simply cannot turn a blind eye. We reiterate our urgent call on the parties to cease hostilities immediately and to respect their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law, in particular with regard to the protection of civilians.
The resolution we have just adopted, which refers to this alarming situation, therefore rightly requests that the Council be regularly informed by the Secretary-General of the threats to international peace and security arising from the situation in Sudan and the efforts undertaken by the UN. This is essential to enable the Council to assume its responsibilities as set out in its mandate.
We welcome the appointment of Mr Ramtane Lamamra as the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy and wish him every success. We assure him of our full support for his good offices to complement ongoing diplomatic efforts under the leadership of the African Union and IGAD. We are encouraged by Sudan's assurance to continue cooperating fully with the UN and the Personal Envoy.
I would also like to thank all the UN staff who have worked tirelessly over the past few years. Switzerland remains committed to work constructively with Sudan, the regional actors and the members of the Council to promote peace and security in the country.
I thank you.