Sudan tells UN: No imposed solutions to country’s conflict

Speaking at the Assembly's annual high-level debate, Minister Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim described the circumstances as “deeply regrettable,” saying they violated the principle of sovereign equality among States that lies at the heart of the United Nations.

He called on the UN to formally document and examine the incident and take measures to uphold the 1947 Headquarters Agreement governing the host country’s obligations towards representatives attending UN business.

Mr. Salim Ahmed Ibrahim repeatedly condemned foreign intervention in Sudan, which he said only deepened the conflict the country has been wrapped up in for decades. 

“We reaffirm Sudan’s openness to any sincere and constructive effort aimed at ending the war imposed on its people. […] At the same time, we reiterate our categorical rejection of any attempt to impose solutions, dictates or external agendas upon our people,” he said. 

“Peace is a process requiring patience, determination and commitment to addressing the root causes of conflict,” he explained, insisting that peace agreements that do not eliminate underlying causes of conflict cannot lead to durable peace. 

He was very critical of international sanctions imposed on Sudan for the past twenty years, which he said damaged its economy and sovereignty, and “[exacerbated] cycles of violence […] and hindered national reconciliation.”

He also called for halting the flow of weapons, ammunition and mercenaries into Sudan. 

The Sudanese Foreign Minister said repeatedly that “the terrorist militia” was responsible for the civil war raging in the country since April 2023. 

He accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – former allies turned rivals of the de facto government – of attacks against civilians, medical centres and hospitals.

He strongly condemned the international community for not recognising the RSF as a terrorist organisation, and for failing to cut the cross-border channels that supply it with weapons, ammunitions and mercenaries. 

“Silence regarding the atrocities committed by the terrorist militia in Sudan is not only shameful, unethical and complicit, it is a betrayal of the civilian victims,” he said. 

Mr. Salim Ahmed Ibrahim was also critical of the current state of UN institutions, which he said have let states use or threaten to use force in international relations, interfere in the internal affairs of States and disregard international law. 

As such, he pushed for institutional reforms, most notably of the Security Council, which he argued should have two permanent seats for African states. 

At the same time, he stressed that Sudan continues its “positive cooperation” with the UN, especially with the offices on sexual violence in conflict, children in conflict, humanitarian aid (OCHA), and human rights mechanisms.