Stéphane Dujarric, the Chief Spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, announced on Thursday the withdrawal of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). According to the “Sudanese Scene” website, Dujarric stated that the mission had completed its withdrawal from Sudan on February 29, and that the Secretary-General expresses his deep appreciation for all international and local mission personnel for their dedication and efforts in serving the people of Sudan throughout the mission’s mandate.
Dujarric mentioned that a limited team of United Nations staff will remain in Port Sudan to oversee the mission’s liquidation process, starting from March 1, and that the Secretary-General counts on the full cooperation of the Sudanese authorities to ensure that this process is completed as smoothly and quickly as possible.
The UN statement warned that the conflict in Sudan is increasing the erosion of the rule of law and the protection of civilians, in addition to putting the country and the entire region at risk. It also reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for all parties to the conflict to lay down their arms and commit to comprehensive peace talks that lead to the resumption of a civilian-led democratic transition.
The UN spokesperson emphasized that the organization will not leave Sudan and remains strongly committed to providing life-saving humanitarian aid and supporting the Sudanese people in their aspirations for peace and a secure future. In the same context, the statement mentioned that the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, has begun his work to support mediation efforts, in close coordination and partnership with African partners and other international partners.
Dujarric added that these mediation efforts will complement the ongoing core work of the United Nations team on the ground, which includes providing life-saving humanitarian aid amid continued critical international support in this context. The statement concluded by conveying the Secretary-General’s call for the Sudanese authorities to continue their cooperation, including by facilitating the issuance of entry visas and the movement of United Nations staff and partners in the country without obstacles to provide this humanitarian support.
The “Sudanese Scene” website clarified that the emergency watchlist is divided into the top 10 ranked countries and the unranked second half, with Sudan occupying the first position on the watchlist of countries due to the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
