UN, International community coordinate support for Sudan new transition: Perthes

December 7, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) has started working with the international community to prepare a raft of measures to support the second in Sudan.

Volker Perthes on Wednesday briefed the Security Council on the recent signing of a framework agreement by the Sudanese stakeholders paving the way for the second phase of talks before forming a new transitional government within a month.

In an optimistic note about the expected conclusion of the second phase, Perthes voiced hope that the parties would also discuss the economic and development priorities of a new government.

“UNITAMS and the UN country team have already begun to coordinate with the international community on the ground here to ensure a “package” of support for a new transitional period,” he further disclosed.

Speaking about the negative impact of the coup on the Sudanese economy, he said that a third of the Sudanese population, 15.8 million people would need humanitarian assistance.

“High inflation continues to reduce households’ purchasing power, with people unable to meet their basic needs,” he further said. Also, he mentioned the flood affected 349,000 people.

Before concluding his briefing, the UN envoy warned that the ongoing process may be derailed by challenges and spoilers.

“As Sudan gets closer to reaching a final political agreement, those who don’t see their interests advanced by a political settlement may escalate attempts to undermine the process,” he said.

He called for concerted advocacy from the international community to encourage what he called “constructive positions” from the recalcitrant and detractors of the framework agreement.

The U.S. Secretary of State announced the expansion of visa restrictions to include spoilers of the framework agreement without naming them.

The symbolic measure was seen as a warning to those opposed to the process from the Sudanese Islamists and armed groups that reject the deal.

(ST)