NEW YORK CITY: The UN Security Council on Tuesday strongly rejected a recent announcement by one of the warring military factions in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces, that it will establish a parallel governing authority in the territories it controls, warning that the move threatens the country’s territorial integrity and risks further escalation of the ongoing conflict.
The 15-member council expressed “grave concern” about the implications of such unilateral action and said it could worsen the fragmentation of the nation and exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis.
“The Security Council reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan,” council members said in a statement, adding that any actions that undermine these principles jeopardize not only the future of Sudan but broader regional peace and stability.
They urged all parties in Sudan to immediately resume negotiations with the aim of securing a lasting ceasefire agreement and creating the conditions for a political resolution to the conflict. This process should be inclusive of all Sudanese political and social groups and lead to a credible, civilian-led transitional government tasked with guiding the country toward democratic elections, council members added.
