BRIEFING BY H.E. CAROLYN RODRIGUES-BIRKETT ON SUDAN (SCR 2715) AND THE 1591 COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL ON SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN

  Delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations

27th June 2025

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia and my country, Guyana. The A3+ thanks ASG Pobee for the comprehensive briefing.

We also extend our appreciation to Ambassador Joonkook Hwang, Chair of the 1591 Committee, for presenting the chair’s report, and to Ms. Shayna Lewis for her insights on the plight of civilians in Sudan.

Colleagues,

The security, economic, humanitarian and political situation in Sudan continues to worsen on account of the ongoing war. The effects of the conflict in the region are also expanding, with concerning developments in Abyei, the Birao-Am Dafock axis and the Sudan-Libya Egypt tri-border area. Sudanese civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict and are subjected to unspeakable violations. We must prioritise their protection. In this context, the A3+ welcomes the Secretary General’s intervention in securing an agreement from Lieutenant General Al-Burhan for a one-week humanitarian truce in El Fasher locality to support UN efforts and facilitate the delivery of aid. We encourage all parties to the conflict to commit to the humanitarian pause.

Colleagues,

As elaborated by the briefers, protection needs are growing in Sudan, while resources are shrinking. There is an increasing trend of attacks on humanitarian operations and critical civilian infrastructure. Food insecurity, opportunistic looting, sexual violence, and child recruitment are all on the rise and committed with increasing impunity. The A3+ strongly condemns the heinous attack on the joint humanitarian convoy in Al Koma on 2 June 2025, as well as the attack against the WFP facility by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 29 May 2025. We reiterate the obligation of all parties to respect and protect humanitarian relief personnel as mandated by the Geneva Conventions. We stress that the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and their operations are an indispensable condition for the delivery of humanitarian relief to civilians. In this regard, we reiterate that all perpetrators of human rights and other forms of abuse must be held to account. As efforts continue to bring the parties back to the negotiating table, the A3+ underscores the following points:

First: Humanitarian aid must not be weaponised. More than twenty-four million people are food insecure in Sudan, and the number of forcibly displaced people continues to grow. The A3+ urges parties to the conflict to ensure safe, unimpeded access across battle lines and across borders, particularly ahead of the lean season, when access will become even more challenging. Humanitarian aid must be permitted to reach those most in need. Especially important are WASH facilities, health, education and psychosocial services, particularly amid the recent Cholera outbreak exacerbated by damage to critical civilian infrastructure. This was also documented in Khartoum and Darfur, following drone strikes by the RSF against water supply lines, forcing families to collect water from unsafe, contaminated sources. We therefore welcome the decision of the Sudanese Government to open the Adre border crossing for an additional three months until August 2025 and underscore that this effort should be sustained.

Second: Cooperation and coordination are paramount. Humanitarian funding requirements have almost doubled since the start of the war. Amidst funding cuts and existential needs, the 2025 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 14% funded, almost seven months into the year. The need for funding and resources remains critical. The A3+ calls on the international community to scale up funding.

The Council must support and advocate for better coordination across mediation efforts and for preserving the central role of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN). The A3+ welcomes the convening of the fourth Consultative Group Meeting on Sudan hosted by the EU in Brussels yesterday and renews its support to the SG’s Personal Envoy Ramtane Lamamra. We also reaffirm that the Jeddah process remains an important framework, the commitments to which should be upheld and respected. In like manner, we take note of the recently established transition roadmap and the appointment of a civilian Prime Minister, a step we hope will advance the restoration of constitutional order and democratic governance in Sudan.

Third: All parties to the conflict must respect and uphold international humanitarian law and comply with the arms embargo on Darfur. All UN Member States have a collective responsibility to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and ensure the maintenance of international peace and security. Violations of International Humanitarian Law and the arms embargo imposed on Darfur in Sudan, must not be tolerated. Conflict and hunger are also driving mass displacement and creating persistent protection needs.

Over a year since the adoption of resolution 2736 (2024), El Fasher remains under siege. We are also seeing a renewed surge in violence with frequent shelling, airstrikes, and direct confrontations in and around IDP camps. There is a clear need for collective action, increased monitoring and accountability to stem the flow of arms and armed groups within Darfur.

External interference in all forms, evidenced by the increased use of advanced weaponry, including drones and missiles, prolongs this conflict and must be unequivocally condemned. Colleagues, The A3+ reaffirms its commitment to sustainable peace in Sudan, that is both Sudanese owned and Sudanese-led. We also affirm the importance of efforts to support Sudan in regaining its status as a vibrant and prosperous African nation, whose sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity are no longer under threat.

I, thank you.