26.02 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on Sudan

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Mr. President.

And I thank director Wosornu for your sobering briefing.

Colleagues, we are approaching two years of war in Sudan.

Two years marked by attacks of shocking brutality.

A catastrophe that has tragically become a daily reality for the people of Sudan in what has become one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises, as we just heard from the representative of OCHA.

A crisis where violence, destruction, and death have become the norm.

Mr. President, I have three messages to share today.

First,

The conflict in Sudan has caused a hunger, humanitarian, and human rights catastrophe.

Denmark condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the brutal attacks on civilians in the White Nile State and RSF’s attacks on the Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur. The latest of a series of retaliatory attacks, by the warring parties.  

Medical staff and hospitals have been targeted. The wilful obstruction of humanitarian aid has become the order of the day. 

There is an urgent need to scale up humanitarian assistance, including through the recently launched Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and Regional Refugee Response Plan. Denmark stands ready to continue to support.

We call on all parties to ensure rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access across borders and frontlines. We need to see a lifting of bureaucratic obstacles.

The opening of the Adre border crossing for another three months is a positive development, but it is not enough.

For our humanitarian assistance to be effective, it must be able to reach those in need.

A collective political response to the crisis, and a reset of the humanitarian response in Sudan is needed without delay.

Second,

Gross violations of Human Rights Law are widespread and beyond contestation. 

We have been repeatedly warned about the risk of genocide.   

This conflict has unleashed a wave of unspeakable violence against women and girls, along with a dramatic increase in grave violations against children. 

Women and girls are suffering widespread sexual violence, including rape, and gang rape, at the hands of warring parties. 

We condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms.  Survivors urgently need access to adequate healthcare and post-rape support. 

As noted by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, entrenched impunity has been one of the main drivers of the conflict.  This cycle of impunity must be broken.

The perpetrators of these international crimes must be held accountable.

Third,

This conflict will not be solved on the battlefield. An inclusive political solution to the war is needed.  On this note, Denmark extends its appreciation to the good offices of Personal Envoy Lamamra.

We also note the progress in setting up the AUPSC Ad Hoc Presidential Committee on Sudan under the leadership of President Museveni of Uganda. We look forward to any progress this should yield.

We note with concern the recent announcement of an intention to establish a parallel governing authority. We emphasize the imperative of preserving Sudan’s unity.

Political dialogue is the only viable path to a peaceful settlement. Denmark therefore strongly calls on the parties to return to the negotiation table.

We also call on those external actors who fuel the conflict to immediately cease doing so.

Mr. President, in closing,

In the immediate term, Ramadan presents an opportunity for respite in Sudan. We urge the parties to seize this opportunity. Now is the time for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Denmark stands ready to work with all members to make this happen. 

Thank you.