Sudan tells UN: There is no forced solution to the conflict in his country

Speaking at the Assembly’s annual high-level debate, Minister Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim described the situation as “very regrettable,” and said it violated the principle of sovereign equality among states that is at the heart of the UN.

He called on the UN to officially document and examine the incident and take action to enforce the Headquarters Agreement of 1947 which sets out the host nation’s obligations towards representatives attending UN events.

No to external intervention

Salim Ahmed Ibrahim has repeatedly condemned foreign intervention in Sudan, which he says has only deepened the conflict the country has endured for decades.

“We reaffirm Sudan’s openness to all sincere and constructive efforts aimed at ending the war imposed on its people. […] “At the same time, we reiterate our rejection of any attempt to impose external solutions, orders or agendas on our people,” he said.

“Peace is a process that requires patience, determination and commitment to address the root causes of conflict,” he explained, emphasizing that peace agreements that do not eliminate the causes of conflict cannot produce lasting peace.

He was highly critical of the international sanctions imposed on Sudan over the past twenty years, which he said damaged its economy and sovereignty, and “[exacerbated] cycle of violence […] and hinder national reconciliation.”

He also called for an end to the flow of arms, ammunition and mercenaries to Sudan.

Dismantling ‘terrorist militias’

Sudan’s foreign minister has repeatedly said that “terrorist militias” are responsible for the civil war that has raged in the country since April 2023.

He accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – a former ally turned de facto government rival – of carrying out attacks on civilians, health centers and hospitals.

He strongly criticized the international community for not recognizing the RSF as a terrorist organization, and for failing to cut off cross-border routes supplying weapons, ammunition and mercenaries.

“Silence regarding the atrocities committed by terrorist militias in Sudan is not only shameful, unethical and complicit, but also a betrayal of civilian victims,” he said.

Collaborate with the UN

Mr Salim Ahmed Ibrahim also criticized the current state of UN institutions, which he said allows countries to use or threaten to use violence in international relations, interfere in countries’ internal affairs and ignore international law.

Therefore, he pushed for institutional reform, especially reform Security Councilwhich he said should have two permanent seats for African countries.

At the same time, he stressed that Sudan continues its “positive cooperation” with the UN, especially with its offices sexual violence in conflict, children in conflicthumanitarian aid (Ocha), and human rights mechanisms.