Foreign Ministry Talking to Sudanhorizon: “UK Draft Resolution is Booby-Trapped and Aims to Drag the Country into International Custodianship”

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Mousa

Russia blocked efforts at the United Nations Security Council today, Monday, to adopt a draft resolution calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan and the protection of civilians. Russia exercised its veto power against the resolution, which was co-sponsored by the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, despite the support of 14 other council members.
The draft resolution called for an immediate end to military operations and engagement in dialogue to de-escalate tensions and reach a comprehensive ceasefire. It also emphasized the importance of respecting the arms embargo on the Darfur region and preventing external interventions that exacerbate the conflict.
The resolution requested UN Secretary-General António Guterres to establish a monitoring system to ensure compliance with the ceasefire. However, Guterres noted in his latest report that current circumstances hinder the deployment of a UN force to protect civilians.
Deputy Russian Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanski explained his country’s veto, stating that Russia agrees with other council members on the urgent need to resolve the conflict in Sudan. He emphasized that the only solution lies in the warring parties agreeing to a ceasefire, adding:
“We believe the Security Council’s role is to assist [both sides] in achieving this, but it must be done transparently and consistently, without imposing—through a Security Council resolution—the post-colonial perspectives of its members on how Sudan’s future state should look.”
Polyanski highlighted the main issue with the “UK draft resolution” as a “misunderstanding” of who is responsible for protecting civilians, ensuring border security, and deciding on the deployment of foreign forces. He stressed that these decisions should rest solely with the Sudanese government and accused the UK of attempting to strip Sudan of its rights during the drafting process.
In the first official reaction from Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Acting Undersecretary Ambassador Hussein Al-Amin described the UK draft resolution as having positive aspects but being “booby-trapped.” In an exclusive statement to Al-Muhaqiq, Al-Amin acknowledged that the resolution’s emphasis on civilian protection was positive but warned that it could lead to deploying foreign forces in Sudan.
He questioned who is responsible for protecting civilians in Sudan, stating, “The aggressor must be named and condemned, and the government, whose duty it is to protect civilians, must be supported.”
Al-Amin noted that Russia clearly understands the UK’s role in the Security Council regarding Sudan, referencing Britain’s prior sponsorship of extending the Fact-Finding Mission’s mandate at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. He added:
“We expect nothing positive from the UK regarding Sudan. The draft resolution seeks to drag the country into international custodianship and the deployment of UN forces.”
He called for implementing the outcomes of the Jeddah Agreement from May 2023, affirming that this is the best path to resolving the Sudanese crisis.