06.01.25 Statement by Denmark at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on Sudan

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to thank the UK, Slovenia, and Guyana for calling this urgent meeting, a call which Denmark and Sierra Leone supported.

I also wish to thank our briefers from OCHA [Director Wosornu] and FAO [DDG Bechdol]. Your messages and your recommendations for action are just what this Council needs to hear, and importantly, to heed.

I would also like to welcome the participation of the representatives of Egypt and Sudan to this meeting.

When Denmark last served on the Council, some 20 years ago, the people of Darfur were experiencing appalling levels of violence. It is therefore deeply saddening, and a damning indictment, that we are once again faced with a brutal war in Sudan.

A war with devastating impacts on millions of civilians including widespread acts of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls. 

Mr. President,

Denmark is deeply concerned by the findings of the latest report by the IPC Famine Review Committee.

But let’s be clear.

These findings do not indicate a complete lack of food across Sudan. Rather they indicate a cause much more sinister. That is, the lethal impact of forced displacement and conflict-induced hunger. A catastrophe that is entirely man-made, entirely preventable, and entirely reversible. 

The UN and humanitarian organisations on the ground have sounded this alarm several times.

Regrettably, as we heard today, we now face a situation where famine has spread to at least five areas in Sudan, with projections that this catastrophe will only deteriorate further without urgent action. 

Denmark’s view is clear.  In this world of plenty, there is simply no place for famine.

We strongly condemn starvation as a weapon of war, and we urge warring parties to comply with this Council’s Resolution 2417.

Mr. President, allow me to make three points.

First, all parties must abide by their obligations under International Humanitarian Law and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. That means access both into and across Sudan.

Denmark acknowledges efforts by the Sudanese authorities to open air, sea and land crossings in certain locations.

However, much more is needed.

If we are to address the spread of acute food insecurity and hunger in Sudan, both the SAF and the RSF must allow the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance in accordance with the humanitarian principles. 

Arbitrary bureaucratic impediments imposed on the UN and its humanitarian partners are unacceptable and can amount to the de-facto denial of humanitarian access.

We stress the need for a broad UN presence as a critical enabler for an effective humanitarian response.

Humanitarians need to be able to scale up rapidly to reach those in need, without politicizing or instrumentalizing their efforts. This also goes for access to telecommunication networks. 

Second, Mr. President,

As has been stated many times this morning, a political negotiated solution is the only viable solution. Ending this war is key to ending this famine.

Denmark echoes the repeated plea for an immediate nationwide ceasefire, and urges the parties to uphold their commitments outlined in the Jeddah Declaration.

We welcome the engagement by Personal Envoy Lamamra, along with other international and regional partners. However, we cannot accept the status quo.

Time is of the essence. Efforts must be intensified, urgently.

Third and finally, Mr. President,

An immediate increase in financial and humanitarian support is essential for the countless civilian men, women and children trapped in this insidious conflict.

Millions require immediate humanitarian food assistance as well as emergency agricultural support to address starvation today and to plant the seeds to prevent hunger tomorrow.

In the areas with the most severe access constraints, local responders, including Emergency Response Rooms have provided a lifeline.

Denmark commends the efforts of these local organizations and humanitarian actors, operating amidst intolerable violence.

At the same time, we strongly condemn attacks and violence against humanitarian personnel, including the latest killing of three WFP workers late December.

Denmark is a strong supporter of enhanced, flexible financial support to humanitarian efforts, including local organizations and we stand ready to continue our contributions in 2025 and beyond.

Mr. President, to conclude,

We are inching ever closer to the grim milestone of two years of this brutal war.

We cannot sit idly by as civilians starve before our very eyes.

This Council has a responsibility to act.

Actors with influence on the parties have a responsibility to act.

That means implementing what we have agreed, including resolutions 2736. It means refraining from destabilising external interference.

It means harnessing our collective political will to end the suffering and give peace a chance in Sudan.

As Denmark commences its tenure on the Council, you can count on our unwavering commitment to this goal.

Thank you.