March 7, 2024
Thank you, Mister President. And I want to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing to the Council on this grim and brutal conflict. Let me also welcome the permanent representative of Sudan to this meeting.
As the report notes, it has been eleven months, and the conflict in Sudan shows no sign of relenting, fueling a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The United States condemns in the strongest terms the atrocities committed by the warring parties in Sudan, particularly the crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing by members of the RSF and allied militias in Darfur as well as mass killings of Black African minorities in places like Ardamata.
We demand the parties do more to protect – not target – civilians in all circumstances, respect human rights, and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
We unequivocally condemn continued and pervasive forcible recruitment of children, as well as rape, torture, and other reprehensible violations against Sudanese civilians.
We also urge regional powers to immediately end the provision of weapons to the parties in Sudan, in flagrant violation of the UN arms embargo, which is fueling the fighting and massacres across the country, particularly in Darfur, and are reminiscent of the 2004 genocide.
Two weeks ago, Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths briefed the Council on the humanitarian impact from Sudan’s February 21 decision to close border crossings with Chad. We continue to demand this decision be fully reversed.
We acknowledge the Sudanese government’s announcement that it has agreed to several limited cross-border access routes by land from Chad and South Sudan, and by air, but this is insufficient. More action is needed urgently to ensure lifesaving aid reaches Sudan’s most vulnerable. Both parties must adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to avert catastrophe.
As we approach the one-year anniversary of this brutal conflict, the United States repeats its call for urgent action from the Security Council. We need to demand action to alleviate human suffering through the delivery of safe, unhindered, and sustained humanitarian access and drive the parties toward a ceasefire. We also urge the Council to renew the mandate of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee Panel of Experts.
Finally, the United States would like to thank UNITAMS and all UN personnel for their dedication and support to the people of Sudan. While we wish the Sudanese government had reached a different decision on UNITAMS, we will continue to support the UN Country Team post UNITAMS.
Thank you, Mister President.