13 March 2025
Madam President,
I would first like to thank the Executive Director of UNICEF, Ms. Catherine Russell, and the Secretary General of Médecins sans frontières, Mr. Christopher Lockyear, for their statements. I would like to acknowledge the presence among us of Lord Ray Collins of Highbury as well as the Permanent Representative of Sudan.
I would like to emphasize three points.
First, as the speakers have reminded us, the humanitarian situation in Sudan is tragic and is constantly deteriorating. The civilian population is the first to suffer the consequences of this conflict. The number of children killed or maimed in Sudan has reached unprecedented levels. France is concerned about the upsurge in conflict-related sexual violence and gender-based violence, to which millions of children, including infants barely a year old, are exposed.
The only way to remedy the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan is for the parties to the conflict to conclude a ceasefire as quickly as possible, as the Security Council has already urged them to do. France calls on all Member States to refrain from providing any logistical, military or financial support to the parties.
Secondly, more must be done to protect civilians. The Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces must honor the commitments made in the Jeddah Declaration. All parties to the conflict must respect international law and international humanitarian law. Attacks on populated areas and civilian infrastructure must cease immediately. The destruction of schools and hospitals and damage to the electricity grid are of particular concern.
France is in favor of decisive action by this Council to enhance the protection of civilians. We support the implementation of a monitoring and verification mechanism of the commitments contained in the Jeddah Declaration. With regard to the monitoring of serious violations committed against children in Sudan, France supports the implementation of the monitoring and reporting mechanism set up by the Security Council.
Thirdly, the parties must allow full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to the whole of Sudan, across borders and front lines. Humanitarian workers must be protected. Unjustified bureaucratic obstacles must be removed. The open crossing points at Adré and with South Sudan are essential for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
As it has done since the beginning of the conflict, France remains active on Sudan. A conference will be co-organized in London on April 15, with the United Kingdom, Germany and the European Union. The international community must remain mobilized in support of the Sudanese population, which has been enduring the devastating consequences of this conflict for almost two years.
Madam President,
Only a ceasefire accompanied by an inclusive and viable political process will make it possible to restore lasting peace and put an end to this massive suffering. There is no military solution to this war. The parties must urgently cease hostilities and negotiate.
Thank you.