Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Slovenia.

I would like to express my appreciation to ASG Martha Pobee and USG Joyce Msuya for their profoundly sobering briefings today. Your reports serve as a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation before us.

Colleagues, we firmly believe that today’s discussion is both urgent and critical. The staggering scale of destruction and human suffering in El Fasher and throughout Sudan calls for a united voice, one that clearly demands de-escalation, stronger efforts to protect civilians, and the immediate silencing of guns.

We cannot stand by and allow this man-made crisis to persist, with people continually denied food, medical care, and the right to live in safety, peace and dignity. The situation in El Fasher must serve as a wake-up call. Slovenia strongly demands that the Rapid Support Forces immediately cease their attacks and siege on El Fasher. We also call on the Sudanese Armed Forces to halt the reported indiscriminate aerial bombardments.

We stand behind the regional and international mediation efforts to ensure immediate ceasefire and work towards lasting political solution, particularly those led by the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr. Lamamra. It is essential that all parties prioritize dialogue over violence.

States with influence must bring the warring parties to the negotiating table. Now is the time to facilitate peace. The recently renewed UN arms embargo must be fully respected and we must ensure its implementation. All external actors must resist the temptation to further fuel instability and instead focus on supporting a path toward peace.

Colleagues, it is not only bullets and bombs that kill; it is also the absence of humanitarian access, leaving families to starve and children to die. The combination of conflict, massive displacement, starvation, destruction of essential service, particularly water, sanitation, medical and educational facilities in places like El Fasher, but also many other across Sudan, is intolerable. However, no humanitarian aid can replace the absolute need to cessation of violence. There is no sustainable solution without peace.

We commend the reopening of the Adré border crossing and the Dabbah road, but these developments must be sustained and significantly expanded. Safe, rapid, and unhindered access for humanitarian aid is essential to all parts of Sudan.

It is imperative that all parties prioritize cross-border and cross-line deliveries of humanitarian assistance and ease bureaucratic and administrative impediments.

All parties must respect international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law and cease to use starvation as a method of warfare.

Colleagues, there are far too many reports highlighting the horrors in Sudan — in Darfur, Khartoum, El Gezira, Sennar state and beyond. The recent report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan reveals shocking testimonies, confirming that sexual and gender-based violence continues to be committed on a large scale across Sudan. We fear that much of the true extent of these atrocities remains hidden, leaving the crisis largely in the shadows. Crimes are so horrific that silence is not an option. These war crimes must not go unpunished and perpetrators must be held accountable. The safety and dignity of victims and survivors must be central to every response. Without immediate de-escalation, the human catastrophe will worsen.

In conclusion, Slovenia firmly calls for immediate de-escalation in Sudan and in particular in El Fasher. We cannot afford further delays; the guns must fall silent now. The Security Council must act, not to defend national or geographic interests, but humanity itself.

Thank you.

I resume the function as President of the Council.

Recent Statements