Sudan Threatens To End UN Missions If Reported To Security Council

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/Jonathan Ansel Moy de Vitry/UNSPLASH

JAKARTA - The Sudanese government threatened to end the United Nations mission in the war-torn country if representatives of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gave a report to the Board of Security.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it was "very inappropriate" for Sudan to destroy the mission as Volker Perthes plans to report on Wednesday, August 9.

Assistant Secretary-General Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee reported to the Council as a substitute for Perthes after her name was removed at the last minute, Greenfield, who served as Council president during August.

"No country should be able to threaten the report giver to remain silent, especially the UN envoy," Greenfield said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, August 10.

He said the conflict "has turned most of Sudan into the world's hell."

The stories and images that emerged from Sudan, especially Darfur, were horrific. There are reliable reports that the Fast Support Forces and allied militias commit continued atrocities in West Darfur, ethnic killings, and widespread sexual violence against women," he added.

Greenfield said the Security Council "has a responsibility to demand all parties comply with their obligations under international law regarding the protection of civilians," while urging the war side to lay down arms.

"Let's do everything we can to end the bloodshed. Sudan's political future belongs to the Sudanese people, not to the gunmen who prolong human suffering," Greenfield concluded.

Sudan has been damaged by fighting between the military and the Quick Support Forces since April in a conflict that killed more than three thousand civilians and injured thousands more, according to local medics. And more than four million people fled, the United Nations said.

The UN mission, known as UNITAMS, is a special political mission tasked with assisting Sudan's transition to democratic rule after decades under former President Omar al-Bashir.