An Analysis of Kamil Idris’s UN Address and Its Impact

By Sabah Musa – Cairo, Sudanhorizon

The United Nations General Assembly has witnessed the official international recognition of Sudan’s civilian government, with Prime Minister Dr Kamil Idris addressing the world body on behalf of Sudan and the Sudanese people.

Civilian Governance

In a speech delivered late on Thursday night during the 80th session of the General Assembly, Idris reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening civilian rule and democratic transition, on behalf of the Sudanese people and in fulfilment of the pledge by President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to appoint an independent civilian government. His address was delivered before the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in the presence of heads of state and international delegations.

Confronting Challenges

Idris opened his speech with the motto: “A hope renewed in our unity, and a strength that lies in our peace,” stressing the need to confront global challenges that threaten the stability of international systems, including the erosion of international law and the escalation of genocide and aggression. He referred to Sudan’s suffering at the hands of the rebel Rapid Support Forces militia, which over the past three years has displaced civilians and committed killings, looting, and rape, in an attempt to seize control of the country, plunder its wealth, and alter its demographics.

Building Trust

The Prime Minister called for building trust and transparency, as well as strengthening the role of the General Assembly in preventive diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He highlighted the importance of capitalising on the momentum of the UN80 initiative and the Summit of the Future. Idris also rejected the imposition of unilateral sanctions for political reasons, describing them as violations of international law that undermine the rights of nations—particularly developing countries—to development and welfare. He denounced the instrumentalisation of human rights as a tool of political pressure, and reaffirmed Sudan’s rejection of hate speech, racism, extremism, and Islamophobia.

State Sovereignty

Idris stressed that preserving state sovereignty and its national institutions is a matter of existential importance for the Sudanese people. He warned that democratic transition could not be achieved without strengthening these institutions, and called on the international community to halt the flow of weapons to terrorist militias, to condemn and classify them as terrorist groups. He cautioned that violations of Security Council Resolution 1591 would prolong the war and obstruct peace.

He reiterated his government’s commitment to a national roadmap that includes a ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Rapid Support militia from occupied areas, lifting the siege on El-Fasher, and facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and refugees. Idris further emphasised that the technocratic civilian government he leads will embark on an inclusive national dialogue involving all political forces, paving the way for free and fair elections. He pledged to facilitate the return of Sudanese abroad to participate in this historic dialogue.

Protection of Civilians

The Prime Minister affirmed his government’s commitment to international humanitarian law, announcing the submission of a comprehensive national plan for the protection of civilians. The plan includes mechanisms for facilitating humanitarian aid and combating violence against women and children. Idris renewed his call for international support for African-led solutions to conflicts, free from foreign interference. He warned that international silence over the militia’s crimes only encourages further violations.

Idris concluded his address by reaffirming his determination to uphold the dignity of the Sudanese people and the sovereignty of their country, rejecting any impositions that contradict national security. He stressed that the “Government of Hope” will continue to work for peace, fight poverty and corruption, and pursue reconstruction—while prioritising the participation of women and youth in the national dialogue to secure Sudan’s democratic future.

A Critical Juncture

The Prime Minister’s address came at a decisive moment for Sudan, underscoring that the country has a legitimate government and national institutions recognised by many in the region and the world, at a time when some international actors still insist on portraying the conflict as involving “two warring parties”—a description that misrepresents the reality of the crisis.

Contradiction and Manipulation

The very invitation to Idris to attend the UN and address the Assembly signifies recognition of his government’s legitimacy as Sudan’s only government. Observers argue that international discourse must evolve to reflect this fact, rather than continue using vague formulations that imply symmetry between the state and the militia. Such contradictions, analysts warn, only complicate the search for solutions to the Sudanese crisis.

One of the Strongest Speeches

Observers described Idris’s speech as one of the strongest Sudanese addresses ever delivered before the UN General Assembly, clearly articulating Sudan’s plight and demands. Analysts now debate the extent to which the speech succeeded in explaining Sudan’s case to the world and what impact it may have going forward.

Complete and Comprehensive

Political analyst Dr Khalid al-Tijani argued that, beyond the content of the speech, the appearance of Kamil Idris as Sudan’s Prime Minister at such an important international forum was itself crucial in reinforcing the government’s legitimacy at a time when efforts were being made to cast doubt upon it. Speaking to Al-Muhaqiq, al-Tijani said the speech was “complete and comprehensive in its substance,” stressing that its main importance lay in affirming Sudan’s sovereignty and ensuring that the crisis was correctly described: “Sudan is a state that has been attacked by local proxies,” he said. He warned that mislabelling the crisis as a conflict between two equal parties only feeds the war and delays its resolution.

Prolonging the War

Al-Tijani criticised international statements that continue to refer to “parties in conflict” instead of identifying the aggressor, saying such discourse “encourages the continuation of the war.” He noted that while the RSF militia had committed grave crimes—including systematic starvation through the siege of El-Fasher—international statements often condemned the acts without condemning the perpetrators, thereby prolonging the conflict.

Lack of Political Will

Osman Mirghani, editor-in-chief of Al-Tayyar newspaper, agreed that Idris’s participation sent a strong message about Sudan’s civilian direction. He said the speech highlighted peace, the impact of war on the Sudanese people, and the resilience of the state despite international shortcomings in halting the siege of El-Fasher and the flow of arms to the militia. However, he argued the speech lacked concrete Sudanese-led measures to reinforce its message.

Mirghani suggested that Idris should have issued domestic decisions prior to travelling to New York—such as forming a Supreme Peace Council, establishing a legislative assembly, and announcing a timetable for its convening. “This would have cemented the credibility of the civilian government,” he said.

He added that while the speech was broadly positive, the international community remains hesitant to fully embrace Idris, viewing him as a façade for continued military dominance. “I do not think this speech will shift Sudan from a position of doubt in the eyes of the international community to one of certainty,” he said. “It will not, on its own, change the way the world engages with Sudan.”

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