Sudan

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

Following Sunday’s demonstrations in Sudan, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on the authorities to lift restrictions on the Internet and launch proper independent investigations into allegations of excessive use of force, specially attacks on hospitals.

The World Food Programme is scaling up its relief operation for conflict-displaced people in north-east Democratic Republic of the Congo, where renewed inter-ethnic violence has forced tens of thousands from their homes. The country faces the world’s second-largest hunger crisis after Yemen, with 13 million people food insecure.

The Security Council, acting unanimously, today decided to extend for four months the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), while also “temporarily and exceptionally” extending the period allocated for the mission’s drawdown.

The Security Council received an update today on recent work carried out by the Sudan sanctions committee, in particular, its coordination with the expert panel monitoring activities of Darfuri armed groups in neighbouring countries.

The reduction of violence in South Sudan, while fragile, has revealed a “glimmer of what’s possible with peace”, the senior United Nations official in that country told the Security Council today, as delegates urged the belligerents to use the time afforded by the extended period in which to form a transitional Government to resolve thorny outstanding issues.

Today is the Day of the Seafarer.  This year’s theme, “I Am on Board with Gender Equality”, focuses on the importance and value of women within the professional ranks of the maritime world.  The theme is also in line with this year’s theme for World Maritime Day:  “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the detention of 55,000 suspected Da’esh fighters and their families in Syria and Iraq, held in substandard conditions, is among issues before the Human Rights Council’s forty-first session, adding that fair trials protect societies from future radicalization.

Sudan is legally obliged to transfer former President Omer Hassan Ahmed al‑Bashir and two other suspects detained in the Darfur situation to the International Criminal Court, the Chief Prosecutor told the Security Council today, outlining her willingness to engage with authorities to ensure they face impartial justice — either in The Hague or in the politically volatile country.

The new Permanent Representative of Sudan to the United Nations, Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.