The United Nations Security Council, with 14 votes in favor, made a decisive move on Friday (Dec. 01) to terminate the mandate of the UN Transition Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).
The adopted draft resolution requests the mission to promptly initiate, starting December 4, the cessation of its operations and begin the transfer of its tasks, wherever feasible, to UN agencies, funds, and programs. The objective is to finalize this proce犀利士 ss by February 29, 2024.
Additionally, the resolution calls upon the mission to establish appropriate financial arrangements with the UN Country Team to oversee the residual activities of programmatic cooperation previously initiated by UNITAMS.
Relations between UNITAMS and Sudan became strained in April when the head of the mission was declared persona non grata.
While Russia abstained from voting, other countries in the Council supported the resolution, albeit with several representatives expressing disappointment.
Ambassador James Kariuki of the United Kingdom emphasized, “The United Kingdom would not have chosen to close UNITAMS at this moment,” praising the mission’s work before and after the conflict outbreak. Kariuki reiterated that despite the Sudanese authorities’ demand for immediate termination, they bear responsibility for the safety and security of UNITAMS staff and assets during the transition.
Despite the US voting in favor, Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood expressed grave concerns, stating, “A reduced international presence in Sudan will only serve to embolden the perpetrators of atrocities.”
The vote took place amidst a continuing conflict that has resulted in significant casualties, displacement of millions, sexual and gender-based violence, and a severe humanitarian crisis, with allegations of ethnic cleansing.
Ghana’s representative, speaking on behalf of African countries in the council (A3), highlighted the distressing situation in Sudan nearly eight months after the war’s outbreak. Harold Adlai Agyeman emphasized the urgent need to address the suffering of the Sudanese people, cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and provision of humanitarian assistance.
The conflict involves the Sudanese military facing off against the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group stemming from the notorious Janjaweed militias, escalating into open fighting in Khartoum and other urban areas since mid-April.
Despite the mission’s conclusion, the United Nations affirms its commitment to assisting the Sudanese people through various humanitarian agencies.
UNITAMS, established in 2020, aimed to support Sudan’s political transition towards democratic governance.