Sudan calls to lift UN sanctions
February 12, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan called on Sunday for the lift of sanctions including a panel of experts assisting to monitor the implementation of these sanctions including an arms embargo on the Darfur region.
In 2005, the Security Council imposed an arms embargo on the Darfur region in order to reduce the armed conflict between the government and armed groups and protect civilians.
Khartoum after the signing of the peace agreement in October 2020 calls for the end of sanctions. The continued violence and displacement of civilians brought the UN Secretary-General to propose progress on several benchmarks related to the situation in Sudan and Darfur before lifting the embargo.
In resolution 2620 adopted on February 15, 2022, the Security Council provided to review the Panel’s mandate and take appropriate action regarding its extension before 12 February.
This month, the Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee.
Gen. Ibrahim Gabir a member of the military-led Sovereign Council tasked with Sudan’s foreign policy chaired a meeting to discuss the sanctions established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005).
“The meeting dealt with the renewal of the mandate of the Group of Experts established under UN Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005) and the sanctions regime imposed on Sudan, against the backdrop of the conflict in Darfur,” reads a statement issued after the meeting.
Also, the meeting reviewed Sudan’s position and vision to end the mandate of the Group of Experts and the sanctions regime based on several considerations that Sudan submitted to the UN Security Council.
According to resolution 1591, all States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the supply of arms and related materiel of all types to actors operating in Darfur. In addition, it imposes a travel ban and assets freeze on those involved in Darfur crimes.
On February 7, Foreign Minister Ali Sadiq held a meeting with the ambassadors of the member states of the UN Security Council and urged them to end the sanctions imposed on the Darfur region.
During his visit to Khartoum on February 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pledged to support Sudan’s efforts to get rid of the sanctions.
Russia and China have supported systematically the removal of UN sanctions on Sudan.
Since September 202, the two countries say benchmarks for the lift of sanctions in Sudan should be limited only to the situation in Darfur stressing that others proposed by the Secretary general go beyond the scope.
The benchmarks call for, progress on four issues: political and economic governance issues; transitional security arrangements in Darfur; the National Plan for Civilian Protection; and transitional justice and accountability.
(ST)