Sudan conflict: Khartoum landmarks in flames as battles rage across country
GuardianOct 01, 2023
Sudan Asks UN to End Political Mission Immediately
The Facts
Sudan’s government has called on the United Nations (UN) to end its political mission in the country with immediate effect in a letter penned to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday, accusing the mission of ineffectiveness.
In the document, Sudan's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Sadeq requests the UN to "immediately terminate" the UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). However, the Sudanese government remains committed to constructive cooperation with the Security Council and the UN Secretariat, the letter continues.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The request for this UN mission to leave Sudan once again highlights the growing rift between the Sudanese government and the world body as violence escalates. Also in light of this development, an inclusive African-led approach based on the African Union's efforts to implement a comprehensive roadmap for peace needs to be established. African-led peace initiatives, with their unique understanding of the complexity of the crisis, play a critical role in supporting a Sudanese-owned process to restore peace and promote a democratic transition in Sudan.
Pro-establishment narrative
The demand of the Sudanese interim government ties in with Khartoum's recent declaration of the UN special envoy as "persona non grata." Meanwhile, peace negotiations have so far failed to achieve a lasting ceasefire and African stakeholders such as the African Union lack resources and capacities with little leverage to exert pressure on the conflict parties. To avoid any further escalation, UNITAMS' mandate should therefore be reviewed and extended until next year, while African actors should push for greater influence within UNITAMS.
