13 March 2025
I wish to start by thanking Executive Director Russell and Secretary-General Lockyear for their briefings and for their organizations’ crucial work in Sudan. And I welcome the participation in this meeting to the representatives of Sudan and the United Arab Emirates.
What our briefers have conveyed today is both horrifying and alarming. It should serve as a collective and urgent wake up call.
Allow me to make three points.
First,
The consequences of this horrible war on the physical and mental health of the people of Sudan are staggering.
One shocking aspect, as we have heard today, is that conflict-related sexual violence is rampant in Sudan. It is destroying lives, and it is going unpunished.
Sexual violence is never, and never should be, an ‘unavoidable consequence of war.’ It is an illegal and appalling atrocity.
We call on the leaders of the warring parties to distance themselves from Conflict-related Sexual Violence and clearly convey this to their supporters.
The crimes outlined by Executive Director Russell represent grave violations against children listed within our own Children and Armed Conflict Agenda.
Furthermore, the targeting of healthcare facilities, leaving malnourished children and vulnerable populations without medical care, shelter, or respite, is a further demonstration of the astounding cruelty of this war. This is taking place amidst a staggering food crisis.
These realities represent a litany of violations against this Council’s own resolutions, including Resolution 2286 on the protection of medical facilities and personnel in conflict.
Secondly,
As we have heard, the United Nations and most humanitarian partners are in a state of forced paralysis.
The global humanitarian response has been tied in knots as both the SAF and RSF deliberately instrumentalise humanitarian operations, blocking any meaningful response.
Denmark’s view is clear: the veil of bureaucracy should never be used to withhold or divert lifesaving aid. This is costing lives.
The constant intimidation and threats of attack also have a deeply chilling effect on operations. This means that the United Nations and many of its partners are unable to fully and safely articulate this dilemma.
We welcome the opening of the Adre border crossing, but in the face of this humanitarian catastrophe, much more is needed.
Third,
The atrocities committed in Sudan are further fuelled by an insidious cycle of impunity.
Around this table, we must work together to break that cycle.
To hold these perpetrators accountable and send a message that actions have consequences. That our own resolutions – such as the one referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court – have to be complied with.
We must ensure that protection is offered to all civilians.
We can do that through a robust monitoring mechanism, on the basis of international humanitarian law and human rights law, aligned with the commitments of the Jeddah Declaration.
We welcome efforts on the political track to resolve this conflict. However, this conflict has raged for two years now and talks are yet to yield results for the people of Sudan.
In conclusion,
We urge the parties to engage in good faith, and to focus on laying the foundation for peace of Sudan, by working with the international community, the United Nations and the African Union.
Plans for a parallel governing authority risk the unity of Sudan, jeopardising the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.
In the urgency of this moment, this Council must not absolve itself of its responsibility to save lives.
We can no longer accept that the delivery of humanitarian aid is contingent upon political breakthroughs.
We have the tools at our disposal. We have the facts before us. What we need to do now is act.
Denmark stands ready to work with all Council members to this end.
Thank you.