Sudan: Informal Interactive Dialogue
This afternoon (16 December), Security Council members will hold an informal interactive dialogue (IID) on the situation in Sudan.[1] The UK, as penholder, and Denmark are convening the meeting against the backdrop of the ongoing crisis in Sudan and the urgent need to advance a durable, sustainable, and inclusive peace.
During the meeting, Council members are expected to receive briefings from several key regional and international actors. These include the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra; Chairperson of the African Union (AU) High-Level Panel on Sudan Mohamed Ibn Chambas; the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber; and the Head of Sudan and Horn of Africa Affairs at the League of Arab States (LAS) Zeid Al Sabban. The Permanent Observer of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to the UN, Cherinet Hariffo, will also brief, alongside a representative of the US, who will speak on behalf of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—collectively referred to as the “Quad” countries.
Since hostilities erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a protracted armed conflict resulting in widespread civilian casualties, mass displacement, and acute food and water shortages. The conflict has drawn in multiple militia groups, as well as foreign backers supporting different sides, complicating the conflict dynamics. Civilians have faced relentless bombardment, widespread sexual violence, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access. As front lines have expanded across multiple regions, healthcare and other essential services have collapsed, famine conditions have been confirmed in several areas, and civilian infrastructure has increasingly been targeted. The growing use of advanced weaponry, including long-range drones, has further intensified the scale and complexity of the conflict. Throughout the crisis, UN entities and human rights groups have repeatedly documented grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. (For more information, see our 29 October What’s in Blue story.)
Meanwhile, political developments in the country point to growing fragmentation and deepening divisions. This has prompted regional and international actors to underscore the importance of preserving Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
The UK and Denmark have prepared a concept note in advance of today’s meeting that says that the discussion aims to provide a platform for Council members, key mediators, and regional actors to take stock of the different diplomatic initiatives underway on Sudan—examining their objectives, challenges, and strategies—and to identify ways to amplify and consolidate these efforts. It indicates that participants will reflect on lessons learned and best practices in the mediation efforts, while considering what formats may be most conducive to advancing talks and how mediation efforts can be better aligned with the priorities of Sudanese civil society. The meeting also seeks to strengthen coordination among regional and international actors, facilitate direct communication between mediators, and explore concrete actions the Council could take to reinforce and influence ongoing peace initiatives in a concerted way.
The concept note poses several questions to help guide the discussion at today’s meeting, including:
- What key lessons have emerged from current and past attempts at mediation initiatives in Sudan, and how can these insights be leveraged to overcome existing challenges and refine diplomatic strategies?
- What mechanisms could be instituted to prevent duplication and fragmentation of mediation efforts while ensuring broad inclusivity?
- What confidence-building measures can be implemented to de-escalate the current situation and deter the use of military force?
- In light of resolution 2736 of 13 June 2024, which called for an immediate halt to the fighting and the lifting of the siege of El Fasher by the RSF, what concrete measures can the Council pursue, both immediately and over the longer term, to promote implementation, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and support a sustainable political way forward?
Recent Developments
Since the onset of the conflict, there have been a proliferation of mediation initiatives, involving relevant regional and international interlocutors; however, a meaningful breakthrough remains elusive, as the positions of both Sudanese warring parties and key stakeholders have become entrenched.
In recent months, the US has sought to reinvigorate peace-making efforts through the convening of the “Quad” countries. In September, the foreign ministers of the Quad issued a joint statement calling for an initial three-month humanitarian truce and urging the launch of an inclusive and transparent political transition process to be concluded within nine months. US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos has been coordinating these efforts and has noted the close engagement of the US with both the SAF and the RSF.
Media reports indicate that the RSF announced its agreement to a humanitarian truce, but it continued its attacks thereafter. The SAF leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, meanwhile, reportedly rejected the ceasefire proposal, alleging bias due to the involvement in the Quad of the UAE, which the SAF has accused of supporting the RSF. The UAE has consistently denied these allegations. According to media reports, on 15 December, Boulos held a meeting with Burhan in Riyadh. This was the third such meeting between the two—following earlier engagements in Zurich and Cairo—although neither side has issued official readouts of these discussions.
Meanwhile, Lamamra has continued his shuttle diplomacy, including through a recent trip to the region. On 30 November, he met with al-Burhan to discuss the steps the UN intends to take to advance the peace process, beginning with the protection of civilians and then moving toward a political solution. He also met with Sudan’s Transitional Prime Minister, Kamil Eltayeb Idris. Lamamra subsequently travelled to Addis Ababa, where he held discussions with IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu and AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye. He also engaged with members of the diplomatic corps, underscoring the importance of strengthening coordination among the various peace initiatives.
In addition to today’s meeting, Council members are currently negotiating a press statement in response to a drone strike on 13 December that hit a UN logistics base in Kadugli, resulting in the deaths of six UN peacekeepers and injuries to eight more, from the Bangladesh contingent of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). While the SAF has attributed responsibility to the RSF, the latter has denied the accusation. Earlier today, Council members discussed the incident under “any other business”, which was requested by the UK, the US, and France.
The Council is expected to meet on 22 December to discuss the escalating security situation in the country.
[1] IIDs are closed, informal meetings chaired by the Council president that allow for the participation of non-Council members.