UNITED NATIONS, Oct 17 (APP):As Sudan’s civil war and humanitarian crisis deepen without a breakthrough, Pakistan has fervently called on all parties to respect international law, emphasizing that the conflict cannot be resolved militarily. "The fragmentation of the State, or the creation of parallel political and governance structures, cannot provide a pathway to peace," the Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Usman Jadoon, told the UN Security …
Pakistan urges end to Sudan conflict, declares there’s ‘no military solution’ amid deepening crisis
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 17 (APP):As Sudan’s civil war and humanitarian crisis deepen without a breakthrough, Pakistan has fervently called on all parties to respect international law, emphasizing that the conflict cannot be resolved militarily.
“The fragmentation of the State, or the creation of parallel political and governance structures, cannot provide a pathway to peace,” the Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Usman Jadoon, told the UN Security Council which debated the situation in Sudan.
Sudan has been engulfed in the conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between former allies — the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces militia (RSF).
What began as a power struggle metastasized into deadly conflicts across the country, with fighting in Kordofan and Blue Nile, and drone strikes threatening and killing civilians and attacks disrupting humanitarian operations,
In his remarks, the Pakistani envoy said, “Sudan is a brotherly country”, reaffirming the importance of preserving Sudanese State institutions.
Ambassador Jadoon said the immense suffering of the Sudanese people and the continued fighting in Kordofan underscores the need to end this bloody conflict.
“The atrocities committed by Rapid Support Forces in Darfur, including in El Geneina and El Fasher, and the continuing fighting in Kordofan underline the urgency of ending the conflict,” Ambassador Jadoon added.
Ultimately, he said, peace must emerge from a Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned political process, enjoying the confidence of the Sudanese people and engaging the Sudanese authorities.
“We welcome the growing coherence in international mediation efforts”, Ambassador Jadoon said, spotlighting the positive roles of the Quintet – comprising the UN, African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States and the European Union.
Turning to the 1591 Sanctions Regime concerning Sudan, he said continued violations of these measures should be met with an appropriate response.
“Sanctions must serve a political purpose”, he emphasized, adding: “They are a means to support peace, not an end in themselves”. Sanctions cannot substitute diplomacy nor weaken Sudanese state institutions.
Briefing the 15-member Council, Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, said, “The people of Sudan continue to face the brutal reality of conflict – enduring relentless fighting, a worsening humanitarian crisis, severe economic hardship and the collapse of basic services”.
Across the country, she said, drone and air strikes continue to place civilians at risk, killing people in places as far ranging as an internally displaced persons camp in Blue Nile state, an artisanal gold mine in Red Sea state and a range of civilian sites in North Kordofan – including educational facilities, a courthouse, a university dormitory and a shelter for displaced families.
Humanitarian operations have also repeatedly come under attack.
With weapons continuing to flow into Sudan, and all parties continuing to recruit fighters, the risk of further escalation in the coming months remains high, she said.
“Preventing further atrocities requires more than expressions of concern. It requires action. The parties, and those who continue to enable, arm, finance or politically support them, must face far greater pressure to end this war”, Ms. DiClaro said.
The parties seem to believe that they can make greater gains on the battlefield and that continued external support will allow them to pursue their objectives by force, she said.
“Their calculations must change”, she said, urging all external actors to “use their influence to bring this war to an end, not to fuel it further”.
The UN continues to coordinate with the Quad as it works to secure an agreement on a humanitarian truce and are ready to support its implementation.
“But we cannot afford to wait. We must pursue practical measures that could reduce violence, save lives, and alleviate civilian suffering”, Ms. DiCarlo said, urging the conflict parties to immediately cease their use of drones.
