The Security Council’s draft resolution called for cessation of hostilities and commitment of the warring parties to protect civilians according to Jeddah Declaration.
Khartoum: Altaghyeer
Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to “engage, in good faith, in dialogue to agree steps to de-escalate the conflict with the aim of urgently agreeing a national ceasefire”.
The resolution, which was sponsored by Britain and Sierra Leone, further called on the warring parties to honour their commitments in Jeddah Declaration on civilians protection including taking all necessary precautions to avoid and minimise civilians harm.
The resolution also condemns the RSF attacks on al-Fashir, capital of North Darfur state, and calls for immediate halt of all attacks against civilians in Darfur, al-Gezira, Sinnar and other areas.
The resolution was supported by 14 members of the Security Council. Russia, a permenant member, opposed it.
Following the vote, Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who chaired the meeting, slapped Russia saying “for over eighteen months, Sudanese civilians have endured unimaginable violence. This suffering is a scar on the collective conscience.”
In the face of this horror, “the UK and Sierra Leone – working in partnership – sought to bring this Council together to address this humanitarian emergency and catastrophe. One country stood in the way of the Council speaking with one voice. One country is the blocker. One country is the enemy of peace.”
This Russian veto is a disgrace, he said, adding that and it shows to the world yet again Russia’s true colours.
“Shame on Putin for waging a war of aggression in Ukraine.
Shame on Putin for using his mercenaries to spread conflict and violence across the African continent.
And shame on Putin for pretending to be a partner of the Global South.”
While Lammy bitterly criticizing Russia, the latter’s deputy representative to the UN was engaged with his mobile phone.
