Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet
Acting Deputy Permanent Representative
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
September 25, 2020
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Mr. President. And I want to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for your remarks and the updates regarding the latest developments in Sudan.
I would like to welcome the progress made on the ground since the Security Council last met in May to authorize the creation of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan, UNITAMS.
The United States commends the efforts of the civilian-led transitional government, the Sudan Revolutionary Front, and the Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minawi, to reach an agreement that could – if upheld in earnest, and in a spirit of peace, reconciliation, and development – usher in a new era throughout Sudan. It is now up to the parties to implement the agreement – transparently – and in a timely manner. We strongly believe the agreement can bring long-term peace, justice, and stability to those who have endured cycles of widespread violence and been victims of atrocities committed with impunity. The next steps will not be easy, but the United States is committed to supporting this agreement because we believe it can serve as a foundation for a new, just, and democratic Sudan.
Similarly, the United States welcomes the declaration of principles recently agreed to by the civilian-led transitional government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North. We urge the parties to begin discussions based on those principles soon.
The Juba Peace Agreement and Addis Declaration of Principles build upon the tremendous momentum in Sudan that began in late 2018 and early 2019 to achieve peace, freedom, and justice as well as equal rights and opportunities for all Sudanese. We call on the Sudanese Liberation Movement, led by Abdul Wahid, to without delay engage the civilian-led transitional government to further the cause of peace. Comprehensive peace will need an inclusive and harmonized peace process.
Now more than ever, UNITAMS is needed to support the Sudanese people, and we commend the UN’s efforts to lay the groundwork for an effective UN presence in Sudan and hope that, despite the delays in identifying a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the UN moves to quickly hire and deploy UNITAMS personnel.
The United States strongly believes that UNITAMS will be able to fulfill its mandate to support the political transition and peace process, assist peacebuilding, development, and humanitarian assistance efforts, and to provide critical assistance for security sector reform, police training, rule of law, and inclusive civilian governance.
At the same time, we are deeply concerned with the lack of accountability for recent violence in Darfur and other conflict-affected areas. We note Sudan’s steps to respond to this violence, including through developing its Protection of Civilians Plan, appointment of civilian governors, and deployment of a joint force.
However, local authorities and the civilian-led transitional government must do more to prevent further militia attacks on civilians, including internally displaced persons, and to hold those responsible for the horrific violence at Masteri and elsewhere. We urge UNAMID and other UN agencies to continue to coordinate to protect civilians. The violence, which left hundreds dead and thousands displaced, is a reminder to us all that the protection of civilians must always be at the forefront of our deliberations and decisions with respect to Sudan, including during our upcoming discussions on the future of UNAMID.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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