27.06.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on Sudan

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Madam President,

Let me start by thanking ASG Pobee and Ms. Lewis for their sobering briefings. I also thank the Permanent Representative from the Republic of Korea for his briefing as Chair of the 1591 Committee.

Colleagues,

Our briefers have once again painted a stark and alarming picture. Of a country ravaged by conflict. Of a people trapped in an endless cycle of violence and desperation in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Every month, we receive harrowing reports of massacres, rape and humanitarian suffering from Darfur to Kordofan and beyond. We are deeply concerned about the alarming situation in Sudan and the urgent risk of further atrocities. With no signs of political will on the horizon, we believe this Council must shoulder its responsibility.

Madam President, against this dire backdrop, allow me to raise three points.

First,

In this desperate moment for Sudan and its people, we renew our call for an immediate end to the conflict through a full and nationwide ceasefire. One which reaffirms Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. For too long, the political process has languished while military solutions were pursued. It is imperative that we shift this balance.

We continue to encourage Personal Envoy Lamamra’s engagement with all parties through inclusive consultations, which lead to a Sudanese-owned and civilian-led political process. 

Furthermore, we reiterate our strong condemnation of external interference, which complicates the path to peace in Sudan.

Second, Madam President,

As Ms. Lewis so powerfully conveyed, reports of grave human rights violations in Sudan are widespread, pervasive and going unpunished, affecting over 13 million people. We have received reports of arbitrary arrests, torture and a sharp rise in sexual and gender-based violence.  Women and girls are subjected to rape,  abduction, slavery and forced marriage, primarily in RSF-controlled displacement camps.

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan highlights the deepening scale of human suffering, underscoring the need to break the cycle of violence. We demand justice and accountability for these crimes, without delay. Moreover, we call on the parties to cooperate with the International Criminal Court and the UN’s Fact Finding Mission.

This brings me to the third point.

Humanitarian operations in Sudan continue to face reprehensible attacks.  As we have heard, just this week, some 40 people were reportedly killed – many of whom children and medics – when a  hospital was struck in West Kordofan State. This follows the horrific attack on a joint WFP/UNICEF convoy seeking to reach besieged El Fasher last week.

We continue to demand immediate humanitarian access throughout Sudan, unimpeded and without delay. This includes granting the necessary visas for UN personnel. It is unacceptable that El Fasher has remained inaccessible to humanitarian systems for over a year, with countless lives teetering on the edge of famine. We support the call for a humanitarian pause.Similarly, we demand that all parties cease their cynical and dangerous manipulation of humanitarian aid and that they cooperate with the UN and its partners.

Madam President,

Let us look honestly at the facts. This war has entered its third year. Two years have passed since the Jeddah Declaration. One year has passed since the Council’s last resolution, aimed at ending the siege on El Fasher. Today, we have yet to see any indication of improvement.

This conflict has ravaged Sudan’s social fabric and has plunged its people into desperation while negatively affecting countries neighbouring Sudan.

Now more than ever, this Council must come together, seek common ground and work together towards a sustainable resolution for Sudan. Denmark stands ready to engage constructively with all Council members to this end.

I thank you.