UN political mission in Sudan halted after vote by Security Council
The United Nations Security Council on Friday terminated the mandate of the political mission in Sudan from next Monday, after Khartoum called for its immediate withdrawal last month.
The UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) was established by the 15-member council in June 2020 to provide adequate support to Sudan during its political transition to democratic rule.
The withdrawal of the mission comes against the backdrop of the raging civil war between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces RSF that has claimed over 6,000 lives, left millions of people homeless.
Cases of sexual and gender-based violence, and a growing humanitarian crisis have also characterized the war.
Adopting resolution 2715 (2023) by 14 votes in favour and one abstention (Russia), the Security Council requested UNITAMS “immediately start on 4 December 2023, the cessation of its operations and the process of the transfer of its tasks, where appropriate and to the extent feasible, to UN agencies, funds and programmes, with the objective of completing this by 29 February 2024.”
Meanwhile the United Kingdom says the decision to end the mission is regrettable but commended it for what it has achieved since the outbreak of the conflict.
Despite the withdrawal of the mission, the UN said development aid will remain in the country, where nearly 25 million people – representing half the population – need urgent assistance.
