Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at yesterday’s UN Security Council meeting on Sudan:
Thank you, President. And may I start by thanking SRSG Volker Perthes, ASG Joyce Msuya, Her Excellency Fatima Mohamed and Special Envoy, Ismael Wais.
SRSG, can I begin by paying tribute to your tireless work, to the work of the UNITAMS team, to the UN agencies and NGO implementing partners on the ground. We are very relieved that the operation to evacuate and relocate international and UN workers was successful and we thank you and your teams for your commitment and dedication to Sudan, and extend our condolences to those colleagues who have lost their lives.
For the UK, we carried out our own operation to evacuate British embassy personnel on 23 April and today we have begun flying out British Nationals.
We would like to thank our international partners for their co-operation in these efforts. Our priority continues to be the safety of all British nationals in Sudan and support to those in need.
The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the military clashes that continue to take place across Sudan. We echo the Secretary General’s calls for peace and especially for an end to attacks on civilians, and humanitarian workers.
Hundreds have died, thousands are injured. Adding to acute humanitarian needs across the country.
We welcome the 72-hour ceasefire brokered yesterday by the United States, but we are concerned by reports that once again the parties have failed to uphold their commitments.
We call on both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces immediately to establish a lasting ceasefire across the country and we are in direct contact with the SAF and RSF leadership to end the violence and de-escalate tensions.
We call on both sides to allow humanitarian access, comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, and ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarian and medical workers.
We welcome and encourage continued regional and diplomatic initiatives including those set out today. We will continue to work with all Council members and the UN Secretary-General, to ensure the Council supports efforts towards an end to fighting, a permanent ceasefire and a political resolution.
In closing, we stand in solidarity with the Sudanese people in their demands for a peaceful and democratic future.
Scottish Government call to provide safe routes for people in need of protection
Holyrood’s External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has written to the Foreign Secretary to express the Scottish Government’s deep concern over the current conflict in Sudan.
In the letter, Mr Robertson said a number of Scots and family members had been in touch with the Scottish Government and he thanked all those in the Armed Forces and UK Government currently working on evacuation efforts.
Mr Robertson also called for eligibility criteria to be eased to enable Sudanese citizens to be reunited with family members already in the UK, and for consideration to be given to the evacuation of non-British nationals who have worked for UK interests in Sudan.
The letter reads:
Dear James,
The Scottish Government stands with the UK Government and international community in deep concern over the spiralling violence in Sudan. While the current, fragile ceasefire is welcome, the situation appears bleak for Sudan, and the wider region, and we fully echo the UK Government’s call for a genuine and lasting ceasefire.
The safety of British Nationals in Sudan is of significant concern to the Scottish Government and a number of Scots and family members have been in touch with the Scottish Government. We fully support the UK Government’s evacuation of all British passport holders and I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to those in the Armed Forces and across the UK Government who are working on this.
The Scottish Government also wanted to put on record our deep concern for Sudanese people at risk in this crisis who will be looking for safe passage out of Sudan. In particular:
- We would call for consideration by the UK Government of evacuating non-British nationals who have worked for UK interests in Sudan.
- Secondly we would ask for eased eligibility criteria for family reunion to enable Sudanese citizens to be reunited with family members already in the UK.
- We seek your assurance that the Home Office asylum caseworker guidance on Sudan has been updated. While I understand that each asylum application must be considered on its individual merits, asylum applications from Sudanese nationals in the UK should be considered quickly and compassionately. I also expect the Home Office to urgently review any cases which are in the asylum appeals process or where people have previously been refused asylum on the basis that any part of Sudan is safe.
- And finally we would be grateful to know what the UK Government is doing, in partnership with the international community, to provide safe routes for people in Sudan in need of protection.
Within Sudan the humanitarian situation is now critical. Indeed, as the Minister of State for Development and Africa updated the House of Commons yesterday, approximately 16 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. This is deeply concerning, particularly given a global context where humanitarian needs are severe in a number of regions around the world.
The UK Government and the wider international community must do everything possible to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in need. Like you, I am shocked and saddened that 5 aid workers have been killed during the current violence in Sudan, and we condemn any and all attacks against humanitarian workers.
The situation in Sudan is incredibly grave. I urge the UK Government to do everything possible to work with international partners to address the humanitarian situation and to offer protection for those fleeing the violence.
I look forward to your response.
Angus Robertson