Statement on Bosnia and Herzegovina
1 November 2024 – Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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, Madam President.
I thank the Secretary-General for his briefing and for his steadfast efforts to bring peace to Sudan. I also thank Ms. Hanna Eltigani for her briefing and for her recommendations today.
We have three messages today: on cessation of hostilities, on coordination of peace efforts, and on protection of civilians and humanitarian access.
The reports from Sudan keep telling of continued and unimaginable suffering. Cessation of hostilities remains the priority. The warring parties must accept the undeniable truth: that there is no military solution to this conflict. We call on both sides to cease all hostilities, return to negotiations and to do so in good faith.
Continued external support, especially through the provisions of arms, worsens the suffering and prolongs the devastation. The weapons entering Sudan are not fostering peace – they are fuelling war. Escalation of conflict, of fighting is not a road to peace. This must stop. The recently renewed UN arms embargo, adopted unanimously by this Council, must be respected, strictly monitored and enforced.
Second, we welcome and support the continued engagement of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Lamamra, the African Union, the League of Arab States, IGAD, and all other international partners, urging both parties to engage in peace process.
We firmly support the initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudanese people. There is, however, urgent need for coordinated efforts. We need a truly global response with a single goal: a sustainable peace.
Three. At the heart of this world’s largest humanitarian crisis is the disproportionate suffering of civilians, especially women and children. While both parties have pledged to protect civilians, both have utterly failed. As a result, for over 18 months now, civilians in Sudan have been enduring an unimaginable hardship.
We express our strong concern over the latest escalation in the Gezira state and condemn the reported brutal attacks by the RSF across several villages resulting in devastating loss of life. This must stop.
The ongoing siege of El Fasher by the RSF must cease. Indiscriminate artillery shelling by the RSF must stop. Indiscriminate aerial bombing by the SAF must stop. Attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure, including shelters for internally displaced persons, as called for also today by Ms. Eltigani, must end immediately. Systematic conflict-related sexual violence, especially against women and girls, being used as a tactic of war – this must end.
Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable. Accountability is non-negotiable, impunity must end.
We remind the warring parties of their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as their commitments in the Jeddah Declaration, to protect civilians. We also urge compliance with resolution 2417 on hunger and conflict, emphasizing that starvation as a method of warfare is prohibited by international law.
Madam President,
The people of Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and many other places in Sudan are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. It is unacceptable and unlawful for this assistance to be blocked, delayed, restricted or looted.
Humanitarian workers and supplies must have safe, unhindered and sustained access. This requires opening all available routes – by land, air, and sea – and removing bureaucratic restrictions for the humanitarian assistance to reach those in need.
We call on the responsible authorities in Sudan to facilitate new and maintain existing cross-border and cross-line access, including through the Adre crossing, to ensure sustained humanitarian relief.
In conclusion,
As I prepared for today’s discussion, I kept thinking about Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s call to the Security Council in our discussions on Leadership for Peace, and I quote: “The time for excuses is past, and with great respect, we ask you to act. Do not let us down.” End of quote.
Listening to the briefers, her words today resonate even louder. We thank the Secretary-General for his recommendations on civilian protection, and we echo his call for the Security Council to take decisive action to address this crisis. Slovenia stands ready to do so.
Thank you.
1 November 2024 – Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
31 October 2024 – Explanation of vote by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar on the situation concerning Western Sahara
31 October 2024 – Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the briefing on the threats to international peace and security