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

Thank you very much Madam President,

I also want to extend sincere gratitude to Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo, to Director Wosornu and to High-Representative of the African Union Chambas for their briefings today.

The conflict in Sudan has inflicted profound suffering on the people, with ramifications that stretch far beyond its borders.

Reports and briefings paint a grim reality of widespread suffering, particularly among women and children, who are disproportionately affected by this catastrophic crisis. We once again remind the warring parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law and the commitments outlined in the Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians.

The violence has claimed thousands of lives and left a devastating impact on survivors. The physical destruction is evident, but the less visible scars cut even deeper. Amid the chaos, the threat of famine is imminent, with over 18 million people now facing acute hunger. We strongly condemn the use of starvation as a method of war, which is explicitly prohibited by international humanitarian law.

We must do more collectively, I agree here with Director Wosornu. We thank the organizers of the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and neighboring countries for their role in providing a much needed platform for boosting our collective humanitarian funding and advocating for aid access to prevent mass starvation.

Madam President,

It has been a year marked by repeated calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, including an appeal from the Council in its Resolution 2724 (2024) for a cessation of hostilities during Ramadan. Regrettably, all pleas have been starkly disregarded. We cannot emphasize this enough—the relentless conflict must end. Silence your guns, step away from the battlefields, and engage in honest talks.

As we have seen in many cases, achieving a political solution through inclusive dialogue is challenging, but it is the only viable path to peace and reconciliation. It is essential to include all segments of society, especially women and girls, in all peace efforts. Without their involvement, sustainable peace cannot be achieved.

We hear the plea of Ms Wosornu to increase international engagement to silence the guns and we continue to support regional and international mediation efforts, including those by the Secretary General’s personal envoy Lamamra. And we agree with Mr Chambas and emphasize the importance of complementarity and coordination among these efforts. We are hopeful about the potential to restart the Jeddah talks and strongly urge both parties to engage in them in good faith.

We reiterate our call for all external actors to refrain from any form of involvement that exacerbates the conflict.

Immediate, full, and unhindered humanitarian access across borders and conflict lines is essential. This requires opening all logistical pathways—by land, air, and sea — as well as lifting of all bureaucratic and administrative impediments, to ensure aid reaches those in need without impediment. Humanitarian workers must be able to perform their life-saving missions safely and without obstructions.

The renewed fighting around El Fasher is deeply concerning. As a safe haven for civilians and an indispensable humanitarian hub, El Fasher is crucial for providing lifesaving assistance in an area that is already on the brink of famine. We urge all parties to refrain from further escalations.

While headlines focus on fighting and negotiations, the often under-reported plight of women and girls in Sudan is deepening. Sudanese women and girls are paying a heavy price, and bearing the brunt of the humanitarian crisis.

Beyond the inherent dangers of conflict and displacement, they face shocking levels of sexual and gender based violence, including harassment, abduction, rape, sexual exploitation, and trafficking, whether in conflict-affected areas inside Sudan, while on the move, or in countries of asylum.

This gender crisis is so much more than a tally of casualties and statistics.    Imagine the reality for a new mother in a Sudanese conflict zone, struggling to provide nutrition for her infants, or a young girl whose entire future, including hopes and dreams of an education is shattered by conflict.

Despite their suffering, Sudanese women continue to support their families and communities with extraordinary resilience, including through lifesaving grassroots emergency response room programs.

Madam President,

Allow me to conclude with a truth that all of us at this table know well:

Violence is a choice and peace is a choice!

We stand firmly with the people of Sudan and urge all parties to the conflict to choose humanity, to choose peace!

Thank you!

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