Time is short for Sudan to resolve political crisis, Mission chief warns — Global Issues

“The crisis facing Sudan is purely homegrown and can only be solved by the Sudanese people” Volker Perthesand Head of the United Nations Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission to Sudan (UNITAMS), told Council members.

The envoys of the tripartite mechanism facilitating the intra-Sudan negotiations – the United Nations, the African Union and the regional body, the Intergovernmental Agency for Development (IGAD) – stressed that Creating a conducive environment for Sudanese, especially the authorities, is up to the Sudanese, especially the authorities. for the success of any negotiation.

Detainees are released

Outlining developments since March, he said authorities have released 86 detainees across the country, including senior officials involved in the Demolition Commission work and activists. from the Resistance Committee.

Violence by security forces against protesters has generally decreased, although violations still occur.

At least 111 people are believed to remain detained in Khartoum, Port Sudan and elsewhere. On May 21, another protester was killed by security forces, bringing the death toll to 96.

To build trust, accountability is needed

“If the authorities want to build trust, It is essential that those responsible for the violence against protesters be held accountable‘ he emphasized.

An increasing number of Sudanese parties and prominent national figures have launched initiatives to resolve the political crisis, he said, while some political alliances have formed new coalitions around the country. around common locations.

Against this backdrop, he said the tripartite mechanism held initial negotiations with key segments of Sudanese society and politics throughout April, among them the main parties and coalitions. political leaders, representatives from resistance committees, youth, military, armed groups, Sufi religious leaders, women’s groups and academia.

He said the aim was to gather stakeholders’ views on the content and form of a Sudan-led and negotiated negotiation process.

While almost all have demonstrated a willingness to participate in facilitation efforts, some key stakeholders continue to reject direct negotiations with other partners or wish to participate indirectly.

Graph an exit

“Forging shared insights around these issues will help chart the path out of the crisis and address the institutional vacuum following the coup.“I said.

On the security front, he said, recent events in West Darfur, including destruction and displacement in Kerenik and violence in Geneina from April 22 to 26, once again show a shortage in the ability of the State to provide security and protection to the civilian population.

The Permanent Ceasefire Commission, chaired by UNITAMS, opened an investigation into possible ceasefire violations, after the parties filed a formal complaint.

In Darfur, the risk of violence is high

“The risk of a new outbreak of violence remains high,” he warned. Ultimately, protecting civilians requires addressing the causes of conflict, including issues of decades-long marginalization, land issues, and the return of conflict. internally displaced persons and refugees.

Meanwhile, physical protection should be a priority for Sudanese authorities and local/state governments in Darfur.

18 million face severe famine

He said food prices in April were up 15% from March and are still 250% higher than corresponding prices in 2021. The combined effect of political turmoil, economic crisis, poor crops and the global supply shock is having a “disastrous” impact on inflation.

The number of Sudanese facing severe famine is expected to double to 18 million by September.

Noting that most of Sudan’s stakeholders perceive that the geopolitical environment is becoming more challenging and the international perspective is diverging from Sudan, he said: “Too much at stake, too much hope aspirations and aspirations are affected”. He urged the Sudanese to seize this opportunity to make progress.