Delivered by Her Excellency Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations
Madam President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely, Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and my own country, Guyana.
The A3+ thanks Ambassador Joonkook Hwang for his succinct overview of the work of the 1591 Committee over the period from 11 September 2024 to 10 December 2024 and reaffirms our continued support and constructive engagement in the work of the Committee.
We further reaffirm our commitment to lasting peace in Sudan. We stress the urgency of securing an immediate end to this protracted conflict, for the prioritization of dialogue between the parties to resolve their differences, and for respecting and protecting the wellbeing of civilians.
Madam President,
The A3+ welcomes the WFP’s announcement on 22
November of aid reaching North Darfur, in particular, food aid delivered to the Zamzam IDP camp, where famine was
confirmed in August.
We also take note of the opening of new air corridors to facilitate humanitarian assistance in South Kordofan and Dongola States in Sudan.
The A3+ is of the firm belief that such efforts are critical to alleviating the humanitarian suffering in Sudan, attributable to, inter alia, acute food insecurity, an unprecedented displacement crisis and the impact of the recent severe flooding in the region. We reiterate our call for these efforts to be sustained.
We express deep concern over continued human rights abuses committed with blatant impunity in Sudan and call on conflict the parties to scrupulously adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Madam President,
Reflecting on the work of the Committee in 2024 and looking ahead to continued meaningful engagements in 2025, the A3+ would like to underscore the following points:
First: the need for sustained humanitarian access. Sudan is one of the top five global hunger hotspots. To avoid further catastrophe, it is imperative that all actors, in coordination with the Sudanese government, work in good faith to facilitate sustained humanitarian access and to implement protection measures for civilians.
Second: The need for a stronger position against external actors who fuel the conflict. In order to ensure safe and orderly humanitarian access, external actors who are funding and arming conflict parties must be held accountable. Those with influence over the parties must use it to encourage responsible behaviour and compliance with international law, including compliance with the arms embargo on Darfur
pursuant to the 1591 resolution.
Third: The need for more coordinated negotiation and mediation processes. The A3+ strongly believes that there should be strong coordination of mediation efforts, whether international or regional, with the preservation of the central roles of the African Union and the United Nations.
Allow me to conclude, Madam President, by underlining the need for all stakeholders to consistently act in the best interests of Sudan and the Sudanese people, promoting the stability and wellbeing of the country and its people and refraining from any action that has the potential to further exacerbate the already fragile situation in the country.
I, thank you.
