Volker Perthes, the United Nations head of mission to Sudan, has announced his resignation from the position, marking his departure just three months after being declared “persona non grata” by the Sudanese government. His exit comes as Sudan teeters on the brink of full-scale civil war.
During a meeting of the UN Security Council, Perthes declared that it would be his “last briefing in this function” as he implored the military leaders, whom he had previously unequivocally held responsible for the conflict, to “negotiate and implement a cessation of hostilities.”
In his address to the 15-member council, Perthes stated, “I have had the privilege to serve as the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Sudan for more than two and a half years. I am grateful to the secretary-general for that opportunity and for his confidence in me, but I have asked him to relieve me of this duty. This will therefore be my last briefing in this function. I wish to thank UN staff in Sudan for their ceaseless engagement and support.”
Back in May, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had rejected a request from Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah Burhan, to remove Perthes from his role. Burhan had threatened to expel Perthes from the country, alleging that the envoy was “partisan” and that his strategy in pre-war negotiations between the military leaders and the pro-democracy movement had exacerbated the conflict.
Despite previously rejecting Perthes’ resignation request, Guterres acknowledged the “very strong reasons” behind it and accepted his resignation in light of the ongoing challenges.
Members of the UN Security Council, including the United Arab Emirates, United States, and Malta, expressed regret over Perthes’ departure while commending his “professionalism and tireless efforts” in the role. Malta emphasized its belief that “blaming UN officials does not help,” and the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, condemned the threats made against UN officials, stating, “The threats are unacceptable. Nobody should be allowed to threaten (the) council’s work for peace and stability.”
Perthes’ resignation underscores the complex and precarious situation in Sudan, with the conflict showing no signs of abating, and the international community grappling with its response to the escalating crisis.
