Sudan militia accused of mass killings and sexual violence as attacks escalate
GuardianNOV 11 2024
Russia used its veto power on Monday to block a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for warring sides in Sudan to cease hostilities with immediate effect and engage in dialogue towards a national cease-fire.
Russia was the only one in the 15-member UNSC to either vote against the measure or abstain.
This comes as Sierra Leone and the UK proposed a draft resolution urging the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to fulfill their obligations to protect civilians under the 2023 Jeddah Declaration.
The international community had an opportunity to put an end to the slaughter, rape, and famine in Sudan's terrible civil war. However, one country prevented the Council from speaking with one voice. Russia has once again obstructed peace by using its veto power to allow the bloodshed in Sudan to continue. Putin is solely to blame.
Sudan does need a cease-fire, but that doesn't mean that an overtly colonial draft resolution that would invite foreign powers into Sudan and effectively make the situation worse must be approved. On top of that, Britain lied that the government of Sudan supported this move. Russia vetoed this resolution because the UNSC can do better.