Sudan Foreign Minister: UN Address Warns Against External Intervention

• Sudan's Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim addressed the UN General Assembly after Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan's US visa was rejected.
• Minister Salim condemned external intervention and international sanctions, while accusing the Rapid Support Forces of atrocities and their alleged foreign backers.
• During the UN session, Sudan explicitly accused the UAE and Chad of supporting the RSF, allegations both nations denied.
• Darfur Governor Minni Minnawi supported a civilian-protective truce but warned against legitimizing a parallel government or dividing Sudan.

However, he simultaneously articulated a firm rejection of any efforts to impose external solutions, dictates, or agendas on the Sudanese people, emphasizing the nation's sovereignty in determining its future.

Sudan's Foreign Minister, Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim, delivered a significant address to the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, stepping in for the nation's de facto head of state. Lieutenant General Abdelfattah El Burhan, who serves as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Commander and President of the Sovereignty Council, was unable to attend the international forum due to the rejection of his United States visa application. Minister Salim expressed profound regret over this decision and urged the UN to undertake a formal investigation into the incident.

In his remarks, Minister Salim affirmed Sudan's willingness to engage with any genuine and constructive initiatives aimed at bringing an end to the conflict that has gripped its populace. However, he simultaneously articulated a firm rejection of any efforts to impose external solutions, dictates, or agendas on the Sudanese people, emphasizing the nation's sovereignty in determining its future.

During his address, Minister Ibrahim called upon the global community to halt the flow of weapons, ammunition, and fighters into Sudan, asserting that such external contributions fuel the ongoing war. He specifically accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of perpetrating attacks against civilians and medical facilities, criticizing the international community for its perceived failure to disrupt cross-border supply routes supporting the group. The Foreign Minister characterized the silence surrounding the RSF's alleged atrocities as "shameful, unethical, and complicit," equating it to a betrayal of the civilian victims.

Furthermore, Minister Salim advocated for accountability for crimes committed in regions such as Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile. He urged international pressure on countries accused of providing support to the RSF. The Sudanese official also voiced strong criticism of existing international sanctions against Sudan, contending that these measures have undermined the nation's economy and sovereignty, thereby "exacerbating cycles of violence" within the country. He underscored the necessity of an inclusive, Sudanese-led dialogue to achieve lasting peace by addressing the fundamental causes of the conflict.

The UN session featured contentious exchanges between Sudan and other member states, notably the United Arab Emirates and Chad. Sudan directly accused both the UAE and Chad of providing support to the Rapid Support Forces. In response, the United Arab Emirates representative vehemently denied these allegations, instead calling for an immediate humanitarian truce and the implementation of a nationwide arms embargo in Sudan. Chad, for its part, also refuted any involvement, reiterating its stance of neutrality in the conflict.

Adding another layer to the diplomatic dispute, the UAE representative referenced international reports that alleged the Sudanese Armed Forces had utilized chemical weapons. It is important to note that Radio Dabanga, the source of this information, stated it could not independently verify this specific accusation.

Providing an internal perspective, Darfur governor Minni Minnawi articulated his support for a truce designed to safeguard civilians. However, Minnawi cautioned against any attempt to exploit such a ceasefire to legitimize a parallel government or to facilitate the division of Sudan. Following a meeting with UN envoy Pekka Haavisto, Governor Minnawi highlighted the dire humanitarian situation, reporting that over eight million people from Darfur are now either displaced internally or living as refugees.

Minnawi further accused the RSF of impeding aid delivery and restricting the movement of civilians. He called for the paramilitary forces to vacate civilian residences and withdraw from urban areas. Emphasizing the importance of national cohesion, Governor Minnawi stated that any durable peace settlement must ensure the preservation of a unified Sudan, and he also expressed criticism regarding El Burhan's absence from Sudan's address to the United Nations.

Lawyers advising clients with interests in Sudan should note the Foreign Minister's strong diplomatic stance against international sanctions and external intervention, as this signals the government's intent to challenge existing regimes and could influence future policy on foreign investment and international cooperation.

Source: Original reporting via Dabanga