The United Nations Security Council is currently deliberating a proposal to initiate an immediate ceasefire in the nearly year-long ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces ahead of the upcoming Ramadan month.
According to diplomats, the 15-member Council is discussing a draft resolution crafted by Britain, which may be put to a vote as early as Friday. The Ramadan month commences next week, adding urgency to the deliberations.
The resolution, as seen by Reuters, calls on all parties to ensure the removal of any obstacles and to facilitate full, rapid, and secure access to humanitarian aid without impediments, including across borders and through various entry points, while complying with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Both warring factions are accused by the United States of committing war crimes, with allegations of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing leveled against the Rapid Support Forces and allied armed groups.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 25 million, representing half of Sudan’s population, are in need of assistance. About eight million people have been displaced from their homes, and levels of hunger continue to escalate.
Speaking to reporters, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield remarked on Wednesday, “The international community is not doing enough to address this horrendous crisis.”
In just one city in West Darfur state last year, between 10,000 and 15,000 individuals were killed in ethnic violence perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces and allied Arab militias, according to a report from UN sanctions monitors reviewed by Reuters in January.
Since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023, the Council has issued only three press statements condemning the violence and expressing concern. The same stance was reiterated in a resolution issued in December, terminating the mandate of a UN political mission at the request of Sudan’s acting foreign minister.
The draft resolution urges all countries to “refrain from external interference seeking to exacerbate conflict and instability” and calls on them “to support efforts for a lasting peace.”
Approval of the Security Council resolution requires at least nine affirmative votes and abstention from veto by the United States, Russia, Britain, China, or France.
