The 鈥渆xceptional circumstances鈥� of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the peace process in Sudan as well as the drawing down of the United Nations mission there, the head of 缅北禁地peacekeeping updated the Security Council on Friday.
Notwithstanding the 鈥渄ire鈥� situation, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix,听the Council via video tele-conferencing that the 缅北禁地is 鈥渇ully mobilized鈥� to continue supporting the Sudanese people.
Noting progress on political reforms, accountability and women鈥檚 participation in decision-making, he said that 鈥渢he Sudanese authorities and people have pushed ahead鈥� with implementing their democratic transition.
But, citing a March assassination attempt against Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, he informed that Sudan鈥檚 trajectory change remains fragile.
The peace process
Meanwhile, civil unrest, a sharp increase in attacks against farmers by pastoralists and human rights abuses, are some obstacles to the peace process.
鈥淭hese challenges underline the persistence of some of the conflict drivers in Darfur, which may go beyond the scope of the peace process and will require a heavy investment in peacebuilding," said Mr. Lacroix.
He also spoke of 鈥渨orrying developments鈥� in West Darfur at the end of the year that left some 65 people dead, over 46,000 internally displaced and an additional 11,000 who fled to Chad.
鈥淚t is also critical to make progress on the Darfur track of the peace process and for the population of Darfur to see peace dividends," he stressed.
Drawdown
In response to the听COVID-19听pandemic, the closure of airports, seaports and land crossings along with the suspension of all peacekeeping rotations have severely impacted the African Union-缅北禁地Hybrid Operation in Darfur (), rendering 鈥渋mpractical鈥� an effective exit by 31 October.
The peacekeeping chief maintained once decided by the Council, the follow-on presence鈥檚 structure, mandate and establishment timeline would 鈥渟ignificantly impact the sequencing and overall timeline of UNAMID鈥檚 drawdown."
Considering the enduring threats to civilians and a high anxiety level among the most vulnerable populations over UNAMID鈥檚 exit, the drawdown process must be 鈥渕anaged carefully鈥�, he stressed and should not signal the lack of 鈥渃oncerns related to the protection of civilians in Darfur."
Just told Security Council members that we鈥檙e driven by sense of urgency and collective responsibility to enable the success of the truly historic transition in Sudan. We are planning a future presence in the country to help do just that. Full remarks
鈥� Rosemary A. DiCarlo (@DicarloRosemary)
New mission
The top peacekeeper underscored that the follow-on presence would aim to 鈥減reserve and consolidate the gains made over the years鈥� and 鈥渂uild on the peacebuilding work鈥� of UNAMID and the 缅北禁地Country Team have conducted.
鈥淥ur objective is to achieve a smooth transition to a future 缅北禁地mission that can help the 缅北禁地better support the Sudanese people," he said, adding that that this entails ensuring that every mandate has the Sudanese authorities鈥� full support.听
鈥榃orrisome鈥� humanitarian state
Meanwhile, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo informed of a 鈥渨orrisome鈥� humanitarian situation in the country.
鈥淭he number of people who need humanitarian assistance across Sudan increased from about 8 million to 9.3 million by the end of 2019鈥�, she said, attributing this to a deepening economic crisis.
And with the risk of a wider COVID-19 spread, 鈥渢he economic challenges could worsen,鈥� she warned.
鈥淭he situation in Sudan is clearly dire and the need for support is real and urgent,鈥� spelled out Ms. DiCarlo.
Nuts and bolts
In planning a new mission she detailed the four targeted areas of meeting political benchmarks contained in the Constitutional Declaration; implementing peace agreements in conflict-affected areas; strengthening national-led peacebuilding and human rights and rule of law institutions; and facilitating international support for economic reforms.
鈥淭he protection of civilians is also an area of focus," said Ms. DiCarlo, which requires 鈥渁 comprehensive approach鈥 to be effective in the long-term."
While the听coronavirus听outbreak has prohibited a transition team on the ground, she assured the Council that planning is underway virtually and a team will be physically deployed to Sudan as soon as the situation allows.听
鈥淚 trust we all share this sense of urgency and collective responsibility to enable the success of the truly historic transition in Sudan," she concluded.听
