Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the protection of civilians in armed conflict

Thank you Mr. President,

I also want to extend my gratitude to today’s briefers Ms. Wosornu and Ms. Bechdol for very clear and factual presentations. They said three sentences which in summary for me are all we need to know. One is that this is the worst food insecurity in the country in history. Second, the famine conditions are worsening, are spreading and that the drivers are conflict and forced displacement. I think this is all we need to know for the Council to take action.

So it is very appropriate for the Council to urgently address the deteriorating situation in Sudan.

Slovenia remains steadfast in taking action to address conflict-induced food insecurity and famine alongside Guyana as Informal Focal Points on Hunger and Conflict, guided by resolution 2417.

As we meet at the start of a new year, a time for reflection and renewed resolve, we confront the stark contrast faced by millions in Sudan. For them, there is no renewal or hope; their lives remain overshadowed by hunger, displacement and despair.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan is accelerating. A man-made crisis – a tragedy we saw coming, a crisis humanitarians warned about countless times.

Despite their warnings, the response has fallen short, and we are now facing one of the largest humanitarian crises of our time. Today’s briefing made one point clear: the war in Sudan is not only leaving millions hungry but pushing hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation. Even during the harvest season, when food should be abundant, millions are starving. This should be the moment we collectively say – no more.

Mr. President,

Let me make four points.

First, we take note of the concerns raised by Sudanese authorities regarding the IPC findings. While the IPC system is not without its limitations, it remains the most robust tool available to the international community for assessing food security – in collaboration with the authorities. These numbers are not mere statistics – behind them lies the stark reality of a starving child, a new mother unable to nourish her new-born, older persons and persons with disabilities left without access to essential services. Starvation, death, and destitution are no longer only possibilities; they are realities in Sudan.

Second, while the conflict is a clear driver of hunger, this Council must also take a strong stance on severe restrictions to access. Bureaucratic impediments, excessive levels of paperwork, fees on passes and deliveries, visas delayed and denied, human resources meddling continue to hinder aid efforts, as we heard from both briefers today.

This Council must demand concrete actions. Violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including the unlawful denial of aid and the use of starvation as a weapon of war, must cease immediately. Safe, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian access must be guaranteed.

We welcome steps already taken by the Sudanese authorities but more needs to be done. The Chad-Sudan entry points must remain open and operational. Safe cross-border access through South Sudan must be prioritized. Safe cross-line routes to conflict hotspots, including Khartoum, must be enabled. Airborne operations in El Fasher, Nyala, and Kadugli must be facilitated, and humanitarian convoys must safely reach critical camps in Darfur and Kordofan. Life-saving therapeutic food, water, and medicine must reach those in need, regardless of the location.

Third, as hunger continues to spread across Sudan, it becomes increasingly evident that the suffering will only cease when the commitment to peace matches the urgency of the crisis. Escalating clashes between the SAF and RSF across multiple states, as well as the grave consequences of the RSF’s continued attacks on El Fasher, Zamzam and other areas, underscore the urgency for an immediate halt to hostilities. There is no military solution and diplomacy must remain the avenue to resolving this conflict. We fully support the efforts of the Personal Envoy Lamamra, along with regional and international actors, to secure a peaceful Sudan.

Mr. President,

Fourth and in conclusion, I wish to honor aid workers who risk everything to bring relief to those in need. Their dedication and sacrifices reflect the best of humanity. We strongly condemn the recent tragic deaths of World Food Programme staff members in an aerial bombing in Blue Nile State. With 2024 the deadliest year on record for aid workers in Sudan, their safety must be a priority for all parties and for this Council. Humanitarians must never be targeted.

Thank you.

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