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 Mr. President,

I would like to thank Ms. Pobee, Ms. Wosornu and Ms. Ahmed for their sobering presentations and I also welcome the representative of Sudan at the meeting.

For too long, war has inflicted suffering on the people of Sudan. It has devastated every facet of the Sudanese society.

As the conflict continues and spreads, the greater the unspeakable human suffering is. We must urgently reverse this horrific trends of violence.

Let me make three points:

First – The path to sustainable peace is not paved with military action and weapons, but through dialogue and political process. Both parties must return to negotiations.

We call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to comply with the resolution 2736, to silence their guns and engage in efforts for an immediate and durable ceasefire. Additionally, we call on warring parties to implement agreed commitments in Jeddah without delay.

We support the regional and international mediation efforts, including those led by the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr. Lamamra. We value his ongoing engagement with the parties to the conflict, the African Union, the League of Arab States, regional and neighboring countries, and international partners.

The arms embargo put in place by this Council must be respected by all states and parties. We call on all external actors to stop from interfering that could fuel further instability and to support efforts for a durable peace.

Second – The conflict has disproportionately affected women and girls, exposing them to pervasive use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, which we unequivocally condemn. We call for accountability for such heinous acts.

We support the ICC Prosecutor’s efforts in investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, and prioritizing the investigations of crimes involving sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence.

Ongoing attacks on the healthcare system in Sudan, as testified by all briefers today, are depriving women and girls of essential, life-saving reproductive health and protection services. Attacks against civilian facilities necessary for basic services, including water, sanitation, and healthcare, must stop. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

We strongly condemn attacks and violence against humanitarian and medical workers. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of those who have tragically lost their lives in this noble pursuit of helping others.

Third – The devastating spiral of conflict-induced hunger and the imminent risk of famine are deeply troubling. We remind the parties to the conflict that starvation as a method of warfare is strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law.

An immediate and sustainable ceasefire, coupled with unimpeded humanitarian access, is essential to avert the risk of famine and protect Sudan’s children from further suffering.

Humanitarian organizations must have sustained, full, immediate, and unhindered access to assess and address the population’s needs. We urge parties to ensure cross-border and cross-line access via all possible routes and remove all impediments to swiftly deliver aid and we welcome increased cooperation of Sudanese authorities in that regard.

In conclusion,

The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide warned multiple times and with increased urgency of the growing risk of genocide and other atrocity crimes. We need to hear her calls. The Council united around the resolution 2736 last week. We need to reflect further; what else the Council should do to ensure compliance with the resolution, compliance with the sanctions and what else we should do to spare Sudanese population from suffering?

Thank you.

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