United Nations, March 13, 2025 (Kamran Raja): While highlighting the grave humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Pakistan has urged the parties to the conflict to engage in political dialogue and diplomatic efforts to find a sustainable political resolution of the dispute. Pakistan further said that it has become sufficiently evident that the conflict will not be resolved on the battlefield and the war will only bring more death and destruction for the Sudanese people. Delivering Pakistan’s statement in the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Sudan, Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, reiterated Pakistan’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an unconditional ceasefire in Sudan.
He said that the conflict in Sudan has led to shocking consequences. “At least 12 million people have been displaced; 3 million have sought refuge in fragile neighboring states. The conflict has also serious implications for the entire region including South Sudan,” he said. Ambassador Akram said that Pakistan strongly condemns the signing of a charter to establish a parallel governing authority in Sudan, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies. He said that any such external intervention and scheme that undermines the UN Charter principles will further complicate the conflict, prevent an early solution and further undermine regional and international peace and security.
He highlighted the dire humanitarian situation around El-Fasher and Zamzam camps and stated that violence against civilians is both condemnable as well as unacceptable. He called on all parties to cease such violence and abuse and observe international humanitarian law and facilitate access to humanitarian assistance to the affected areas. The Pakistan UN envoy appealed to the international community to work with the government of Sudan to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the country. He said that we are deeply concerned over sweeping funding reductions and suspensions recently announced by some top donors. Pakistan also pressed the warring parties to honour their commitments to the Jeddah Declaration on Protection of Civilians and lauded the role of Personal Envoy of the Secretary General for working towards the implementation mechanism for the Jeddah Declaration. Ambassador Munir Akram supported the implementation of the Government of Sudan’s National Plan for the Protection of Civilians, which was submitted to the Security Council, stating that this and other credible efforts for the Protection of Civilians must be promoted by the Council.
Ambassador Akram conveyed Pakistan’s appreciation to Sudanese government for its post-war roadmap and efforts for the resumption of the political process. He said that the roadmap reflects the government’s commitment to pursue a political resolution to the conflict. “The appointment of an independent Prime Minister and formation of an independent national technocratic government to oversee the transitional period could be steps in a positive direction,” he said. Ambassador Munir Akram voiced his country’s support for the various peace initiatives undertaken to bring peace and stability in Sudan. He demanded that these initiatives must be consolidated in a manner that complements each other, under the auspices of the United Nations and Personal Envoy of the Secretary General.