March 27, 2023
2 mins read

UN envoy says solution ‘closest’ to end political crisis in Sudan

Many areas of consensus have emerged in the consultations on five contentious issues among them the dismantling of the old regime and security sector reform, Perthes said…reports Asian Lite News

The top UN envoy for Sudan has said that a solution to end political crisis in Sudan now is “closest” despite enormous challenges ahead.

“Today, we are the closest we have been to a solution, although challenges remain,” Volker Perthes, special representative of the UN secretary-general to Sudan, told a Security Council briefing.

On December 5, 2022, Sudan’s military and civilian leaders signed a political framework agreement to end the political impasse and institute a two-year transitional civilian authority.

The agreement was “a watershed moment” and ushered into a new phase of the political process which aims to lead to a new transitional period, Perthes said.

He outlined the progress achieved since then, including the start of broad consultations in the form of workshops on Jan. 9 by the signatories to the framework agreement, with the facilitation of the Trilateral Mechanism that consists of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the United Nations.

Many areas of consensus have emerged in the consultations on five contentious issues among them the dismantling of the old regime and security sector reform, Perthes said.

“Today, Sudanese stakeholders are closer than they have ever been to a settlement and the return to a civilian government,” he said.

Admitting the process is “certainly not perfect” and occasionally criticized for “being too slow,” Perthes stressed that it has managed to get a broad and sufficiently inclusive group of stakeholders to near agreement, particularly military authorities and civilian opposition parties.

Meanwhile, he warned that the scale of challenges facing the Sudanese people and any new government are enormous.

A record 15.8 million people in the country, about a third of the population, are requiring humanitarian assistance this year, Perthes said, adding that high food prices and rising hunger remain a serious concern.

As the Sudanese navigate the last hurdle of the political process, collective efforts from the international community are needed now more than ever, he said.

The envoy called for supporting the next Sudanese government with the required capacity to tackle major issues such as addressing root causes of conflict, significantly improving people’s lives and preparing free and fair elections.

ALSO READ-India supports peace process, capacity building in South Sudan

Previous Story

‘Bollywood demands a high level of commitment’

Next Story

Harris to embark on historic Africa trip

Latest from -Top News

Monsoon Havoc in Pakistan

Since June 26, torrential rains have killed at least 299 people—including 140 children—and injured 715 in Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News Since June 26, torrential monsoon rains have devastated Pakistan, killing at least

Bangladesh’s Dark Turn

With the Awami League outlawed and absent from the electoral fray, a vacuum has emerged — one that has not necessarily been filled with stability….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh’s political landscape has

Trump Repeats India-Pak Ceasefire Claim

The latest remarks came days after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that the US President ended several conflicts around the world, including the one between India and Pakistan…reports Asian Lite

Pezeshkian’s Pak Pitch Begins

Pezeshkian’s visit marks the second time an Iranian president has visited Pakistan in less than two years Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day official visit, marking

‘Water Bomb’ on Brahmaputra?

Experts say the dam project could alter the river’s natural flow and place downstream nations at risk of floods and droughts. The construction of a mega hydropower dam by China on the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UN calls for ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire’ in Gaza

The global watchdog said that the October 7 attack on

India’s recovery on a solid path, says UN report

The UN’s annual World Economic Situation and Prospects report estimated