Security Council Press Statement on Sudan’s Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile States

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Kodjo Menan (Togo):

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep and growing alarm with the rising levels of malnutrition and food insecurity in some areas of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States in Sudan, which could reach emergency levels if not immediately addressed, and with the lack of access for international humanitarian personnel to conduct an assessment of the situation and deliver urgently needed assistance.

The members of the Security Council called upon the Government of Sudan to allow immediate access to United Nations personnel, including access to conduct a needs assessment.  The members of the Security Council further called upon the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Northern Sector (SPLM‑N) to cooperate fully with the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies and organizations, and ensure, in accordance with international law, including applicable international humanitarian law, and guiding principles of emergency humanitarian assistance, the safe, unhindered and immediate access of United Nations and other humanitarian personnel, as well as the delivery of supplies and equipment, in order to allow such personnel to efficiently perform their task of assisting conflict-affected civilian population in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States.

The members of the Security Council encouraged the United Nations continued and increased engagement with the African Union and League of Arab States in this regard.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the 4 January visit by Under-Secretary-General Valerie Amos and the 10-13 January visit by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres to Sudan, and looked forward to the forthcoming visit by Under-Secretary-General Amos to Khartoum and to the conflict-affected border areas.

The members of the Security Council called on the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North to return to talks to address the issues that have fuelled the current conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, and to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities.  They reiterated their support for the efforts of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel, the Government of Ethiopia and the United Nations in this regard.  The members of the Security Council underscored the need for the two sides urgently to address security arrangements on the basis of the agreed principles of the framework agreement of 28 June, including relevant disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed elements of SPLM-N, and that any disarmament shall be done in accordance with agreed upon plans and without resorting to force.

The members of the Security Council underlined the importance of resolving all outstanding Comprehensive Peace Agreement issues.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record